Peace in Afghanistan shared responsibility of all stakeholders: FM

Islamabad: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Monday that peace in Afghanistan is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders.

Talking to media, he expressed concerns over speedy withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan.

The Minister said sixty percent of foreign troops have already been pulled out. He said Pakistan wants that withdrawal of the forces and peace process occur in tandem.

Terming Afghanistan a divided house, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Afghan government and Peace Council do not seem focused in their approaches. He said unrest in Afghanistan will adversely impact Afghanistan.

He said Pakistan is already hosting three million refugees and uncertain situation in Afghanistan will start a new influx of refugees into our country.

The Foreign Minister stressed the need for making intra-Afghan dialogue a success to ensure regional peace and stability.

He said peace in Afghanistan is important for Pakistan to achieve its dream of regional connectivity.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has reiterated its hope that the United States will continue its engagement and efforts for the success of Afghan Peace Process.

Responding to media queries, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said peace in Afghanistan remains a shared objective.

About Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Dr Abdullah Abdullah’s visit to the United States, he said it is their bilateral issue.