Pakistan, Iran discuss Afghanistan issue

Islamabad: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has underlined that sustained international engagement is essential in view of the evolving economic situation in Afghanistan.

Talking to his Iranian Counterpart Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian during a telephonic conversation on Monday, he expressed the hope that international community would ramp up provision of humanitarian assistance on urgent basis, in view of the upcoming winter season, and take steps to ensure economic stability in the country.

During the call, the two Foreign Ministers exchanged views on the regional security situation, particularly Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister Dr. Abdollahian invited Foreign Minister Qureshi to participate in the second Ministerial meeting of the neighboring countries of Afghanistan, to be held in Tehran next week, stressing that Iran fully supported Pakistan’s initiative for a regional approach on Afghanistan.

The Foreign Minister thanked his Iranian counterpart for the invitation and expressed the hope that the meeting would impart further impetus to the regional approach on the situation in Afghanistan. He emphasized that close coordination was essential to help Afghanistan on path to peace, stability and development.