ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday stressed that the international community must stand in solidarity with the Afghan people, undertake positive engagement, and create incentives for ensuring sustainable peace, stability and economic development in Afghanistan.
The prime minister said Pakistan had suffered enormously due to protracted conflict and instability in Afghanistan.
“As such, a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan was in the best interest of Pakistan as well as regional countries,” he said while talking to Italy’s Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio who called on him.
During the meeting, views were exchanged on the latest developments in Afghanistan as well as bilateral relations, said a press release of PM office media wing.
The prime minister noted that at this critical juncture it was vital to stabilize the security situation in Afghanistan, take steps to consolidate peace, and preclude any mass exodus of refugees.
In this context, preventing humanitarian crisis and stabilizing the economy were the most urgent priorities.
In the bilateral context, prime minister Imran Khan said Italy was a vital partner for Pakistan and stressed for the importance of enhanced collaboration in diverse areas, including trade and investments, defence, and people-to-people contacts.
He also highlighted that the large Pakistani diaspora in Italy constituted a strong bridge between the two countries.
Foreign minister Luigi Di Mario thanked Pakistan for facilitation of its evacuation operations.
He underscored Italy’s commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
The Italian foreign minister also conveyed invitation to the prime minister to visit Italy.
The prime minister, on the occasion, also extended invitation to Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi to visit Pakistan.
Separately, Italian Foreign Minister Maio called on Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa in Rawalpindi.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security, current situation in Afghanistan and collaboration in humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan were discussed.
General Bajwa said Pakistan values its relations with Italy and earnestly looks forward to enhance mutually beneficial multi-domain relations based on common interest.
The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s role in Afghan situation and its efforts for regional stability and pledged to play their role for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels.
Maio is the fourth foreign minister from a Western country to arrive in Pakistan in less than a week in the backdrop of the formation of a much-debated, but delayed, government in Kabul.
Prior to his visit, Domonic Raab of the UK, Heiko Maas of Germany and Sigrid Kaag of the Netherlands had arrived to discuss the latest development in the country torn by decades of war.
Italy over the weekend announced its plan to move its embassy in Kabul to Doha city of Qatar, the latest indication of Western diplomats setting up permanently outside Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban takeover.
The announcement followed earlier signals that Western countries and the European Union, which have closed their missions in Kabul, may use the Gulf state as an offshore hub for their diplomatic relations with Afghanistan.
Pakistan, China, Iran, Russia and Turkey have kept their embassies in Afghanistan’s capital open, increasing their opportunities to directly influence a new government, which is in the process of being formed.
“During talks between the two foreign ministers, views will be exchanged on the latest developments in Afghanistan. Matters pertaining to bilateral relations will also be part of the parleys,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
Foreign Minister of Italy, Luigi Di Maio @luigidimaio, is undertaking a visit of Pakistan. During his meeting with FM @SMQureshiPTI issues including latest developments in #Afghanistan and matters pertaining to bilateral relations shall come under discussion.
🇵🇰🤝🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/Wk4IhkvAb5
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) September 6, 2021
Pakistan and Italy enjoy cordial relations, bilaterally as well as in the context of the European Union and multilateral fora, the statement added.
The two countries closely coordinate on the issue of the UN Security Council reforms. Italy is home to one of the largest Pakistan diasporas in Europe.
Maio’s visit will add further momentum to the close cooperation between the two countries to strengthen mutual coordination on regional and international issues.
