RAWALPINDI: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that there is a need to keep an eye on the foreign elements which are active to spoil the Afghan peace process.
The foreign minister said this while talking to the Head of Massoud Foundation of Afghanistan, Ahmad Wali Massoud, who called on him on Friday.
The foreign minister emphasised the need for a reduction of violence in Afghanistan. Qureshi said that all the stakeholders need to make joint efforts for a peaceful, prosperous and stable Afghanistan.
The foreign minister said that Pakistan desires peace in Afghanistan and has been playing the role of facilitator in the Afghan peace process. He said that peace in the neighbouring country is important for peace in the whole region.
Qureshi stressed intra-Afghan dialogue is an important opportunity for a durable political solution to the Afghan issue. The foreign minister said that Pakistan desires a dignified return of Afghan refugees to their homeland. He added that Pakistan allocated about one billion dollars for various development projects in Afghanistan.
Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said that the return of peace to Afghanistan will have lasting benefits for the region and beyond, through economic development, regional trade and improved connectivity.
Talking to Ahmad Wali Massoud, the prime minister had reiterated his conviction that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and that a negotiated political settlement is the only way forward.
He had said that after Afghanistan, Pakistan is the most desirous to see the return of peace in Afghanistan as it is deeply affected by the conflict. In the context of the Afghan peace process, the prime minister had highlighted that Pakistan has extended full support to facilitate the US-Taliban peace agreement and the initiation of intra-Afghan negotiations.
He had stressed that the intra-Afghan negotiations provide a historic opportunity that must be seized by the Afghan leadership to achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement.
RUSSIAN ENVOY CALLS ON COAS:
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday had a meeting with the Russian Presidential Envoy to Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
Per the statement, the two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest and the regional security situation, with a particular focus on the developments in the Afghan peace process.
The COAS said that peace in both countries is in the greater interest of the region.
The visiting dignitary appreciated the positive role being played by Pakistan for the Afghan Peace Process and expressed that Pakistan-Russia relations will continue to prosper manifolds.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to enhancing bilateral relations.
BORDER FENCING WITH AFGHANISTAN:
Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad on Friday said the fencing of the boundary separating Pakistan from Iran and Afghanistan would be completed by June this year as most of the work has already been completed.
After visiting the Pak-Iran border, he said in a press release that the border management was being modernized by ensuring the internal security of the country. The fencing of 90 per cent of the border along Afghanistan and 40 per cent of the 928 km long border with Iran has already been completed.
The minister also got an aerial view of border areas including Gwadar, Turbat, Mand and Radaig. The interior minister visited the newly established Ramadan-Gabbad Pakistan-Iran Trade Gateway in Balochistan and reviewed trade facilities between Iran and Pakistan.
Balochistan Frontier Corps (FC) Inspector General (IG) Major General Ayman Bilal Safdar accompanied the minister during the visit. Earlier the minister arrived in Balochistan on a four-day visit.
During the visit, he will also inspect Gwadar Port and Taftan Border.
with additional input from APP
