FM Qureshi holds meeting with political delegation of Afghanistan’s leaders

Foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi held a meeting with a political delegation of Afghanistan’s leaders led by Muhammad Younas Qanooni.

In a Tweet, the foreign minister said that all of whom have a vital stake in the country’s future, took place at an extremely critical time.

“Our ultimate objective is a peaceful, united, democratic, stable & prosperous Afghanistan,” he added.

The minister said, ” it is important that we closely coordinate our next steps for the benefit of Afghanistan and the region. There is clear international convergence in support of the peace & reconciliation process & it is critical for Flag of Afghanistan leaders to unite for an inclusive & comprehensive political settlement.”

He went on to say, “Pakistan is very clear on our position: we believe that a negotiated political settlement is the only way forward. We do not wish to see the continued cycle of civil war & want the people of Afghanistan to thrive, not simply survive.”

“We hope that all Afghan leaders work together in the supreme national interest of the country & Pakistan will continue to play a constructive and facilitative role. The international community must remain engaged with Afghanistan,” Qureshi stated.

Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday discussed the rapidly growing situation in Afghanistan on a telephone call.

According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Media Office, Prime Minister Imran Khan told the Turkish President that Pakistan was taking steps to evacuate diplomatic staff of various countries and staff of international organizations and other foreigners from Kabul.

The Prime Minister further said that further consultations on the situation would be held at the National Security Council (NSC) meeting to be held on Monday.

The two leaders will reconnect after the NSC meeting to coordinate further. Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated his commitment to continue all possible efforts for a comprehensive political solution to the Afghanistan problem.

“Pakistan does not want to close down its embassy in Kabul”: Foreign Office

The Foreign Office (FO) has on Sunday said that it has not decided to close down the embassy in Kabul and is monitoring the ongoing situation in Afghanistan.

According to the FO SPOKESPERSON, all security measures have been taken for diplomatic staff in the Pakistan embassy and relief is being provided to Pakistanis currently stranded in the country.

“The situation in Afghanistan is changing at a rapid pace,” he said.

“Pakistan has always desired peace in the neighbouring country and hoped that the security situation should not deteriorate.”

The foreign office said that Pakistan does not want to close down its embassy in Kabul.

The statement from Foreign Office came after it was reported that the Taliban have BEGUN ENTERING the Afghan capital Kabul from all sides, the Afghan interior ministry said on Sunday.

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