Pakistan just wants peace and stability in Afghanistan: Fawad

LAHORE. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said on Friday that Pakistan just wants to restore peace and stability in Afghanistan and Islamabad was not supporting any faction in the war-torn country.

He expressed these views while addressing a function organised by Pak-Afghan Youth Forum.

Hussain said that Pakistan has been trying to create an environment in which all warring factions of Afghanistan should sit together and form a consensus government in Kabul.

“This is the only way to form a stable government in Afghanistan and promote a peaceful society,” he said.

The federal minister maintained that at present there was no group in Afghanistan which could rule the entire country. “If a faction occupies Kabul, the other would create hurdles, so, in such conditions the goal of peace and stability cannot be achieved,” Hussain asserted.

The minister said that Pakistan and Afghanistan have been facing the consequences of the actions taken by the super powers in the past.

“We have been striving for a strong and stable economic future of Afghanistan as we believe that a robust economy will strengthen the country,” the minister remarked.

He further stated that the future of Pakistan’s economy revolves around a prosperous Afghanistan as it wants to build strong communication links with Central Asia and for that purpose Prime Minister Imran Khan recently visited Uzbekistan.

He further stated that Pakistan has signed a rail track agreement with Uzbekistan which would run between Peshawar to Tashkent via Mazar-e-Sharif.

He maintained that Pakistan also wanted to promote trade with Central Asia through road links.

Hussain remarked that linking Karachi and Gwadar ports with Central Asia depends on peace and stability in Afghanistan, as communication linkages cannot be built without harmony in the country.

He said that youth from Afghanistan met the prime minister and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and spoke about the country’s situation.

He said that the report of this meeting would telecast in Pashto and Dari subtitles.

The federal minister hoped that majority of Afghan population would get information about Pakistan – Afghan policy.

The minister stated that PM Imran, during his meeting with the Afghan delegation, spoke about the future of Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said there were many misconceptions about the beautiful city, Islamabad, which could be resolved through such visits and exchanges.

“The ministry of information and broadcasting has been making arrangements for Pakistani journalists to visit Kabul where they would meet top Afghan leaders,” said Hussain.

“The government believes that media is the only medium to convey our viewpoint to the masses,” he added.

The information minister appreciated Pak-Afghan Youth Forum for uniting the youth of both countries at one forum and arranging the media conclave.

He maintained that Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmed Khan and External Publicity Wing of the Information Ministry also deserve appreciation for organising a media conclave.