FM reiterates Pakistan’s consistent support for peaceful, prosperous Afghanistan

Dushanbe: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Monday reiterated Pakistan’s consistent support for a peaceful, united, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.

He said this at a bilateral meeting with his Tajikistan counterpart Sirojiddin Muhriddin, on the side-lines of the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Dushanbe.

Qureshi reiterated that there is no other way except an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan. He expressed the hope that the Afghan leaders would recognize the urgency of the situation and seize historic opportunity.

Recalling the recent visit of the President of Tajikistan to Pakistan, the two Foreign Ministers resolved to further enhance bilateral trade, promote regional connectivity and strengthen people-to-people linkages in line with the vision of the two leaders.

The two Foreign Ministers reviewed the entire range of bilateral relations, with particular focus on reactivation of Joint Ministerial Commission, affected by COVID-19 pandemic; enhancing parliamentary linkages and early completion of CASA-1000.

Foreign Minister Qureshi emphasised the importance of regional connectivity; transit trade mechanisms and cooperation in the fields of education and tourism between the two countries.

Appreciating the close cooperation between the two countries at the multilateral fora including at SCO, Foreign Minister Qureshi congratulated his Tajik counterpart on successful stewardship of SCO under the Tajik Chair this year. The two sides agreed to continue to remain in contact.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Sirajuddin Mehruddin hosted a dinner in the honor of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Dushanbe today.

The event was attended by Pakistani Ambassador Imran Haider and senior officials of Tajik Foreign Ministry