| Imran Khan says peaceful, secure, stable Afghanistan vital 
for Pakistan, region | Pakistan, Qatar agree to play a role to 
avoid humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan | Qatari deputy PM appreciates Pakistan’s role for Afghanistan peace

ISLAMABAD   -  Prime Minister Imran Khan has called upon the international community to stand in solidarity with the Afghan people, engage positively, and create incentives to ensure sustainable peace, stability and economic development in Afghanistan.

He was talking to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who called on him here yesterday. The Prime Minister emphasized that it is vital to stabilize the security situation, prevent a humanitarian crisis, and stabilize the economy. He said Pakistan has and will continue to play its role for the economic uplift, humanitarian relief and assistance to Afghanistan.

During the meeting, views were exchanged on the developments in Afghanistan and diversifying Pakistan-Qatar relations.

The Prime Minister conveyed warm regards to the Amir of Qatar.

Highlighting that Pakistan had suffered enormously due to protracted conflict in Afghanistan, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan for Pakistan and the region.

The Prime Minister lauded Qatar’s role in support of the Afghan peace process.

In the bilateral context, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to strengthen mutually beneficial ties with Qatar. He stressed the importance of enhanced collaboration in diverse areas, including trade and investments, energy, and enhancing people-to-people linkages.

The Qatari leader acknowledged Pakistan’s important role as well as efforts for regional peace and stability. He also underscored Qatar’s commitment to maintain close contact with Pakistan on bilateral and regional matters.

Earlier, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi jointly held a press conference here.

On the occasion, both the sides agreed to play a role to avoid humanitarian crisis in the war-torn Afghanistan after the recent withdrawal of the foreign forces.

Speaking at a joint news conference here with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the two countries have identical views on the Afghanistan situation.

“Pakistan and Qatar have agreed to continue playing a constructive role to avoid any humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan,” he said. The two sides earlier held delegation level talks.

The FM said both the countries have shared vision of peace, stability, and prosperity in Afghanistan. “The world community should come forward to extend financial and humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. The spoilers should not be given an opportunity to play with the global efforts for peace in Afghanistan,” he said.

The FM said talks at delegations level have been very fruitful. “We had a detailed discussion on the occasion of Antalya Diplomacy Forum. The role of Qatar, especially Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani in the Afghan peace process is commendable,” Qureshi said.

He said there was a similarity in views regarding Afghanistan. “I briefed the Qatari Foreign Minister on the contacts and talks with more than 20 foreign ministers. I briefed my Qatari counterpart on the details of my four-nation visit to Afghanistan to work out a consensus strategy on the situation in Afghanistan. I informed him about the meeting of the Regional Representatives on September 5. I briefed him on the Regional Foreign Ministers Virtual Conference on Afghanistan,” he elaborated.

He said both the countries agree that Afghan citizens need protection and support. “We have to keep a close eye on anti-peace elements. We agree that reversing the growing human tragedy in Afghanistan should be the first priority. We are providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan,” he said.

The international community, the FM said, has a positive attitude in this regard. “We are saying that if you are not ready to provide immediate financial assistance to Afghanistan, at least they should be saved from bankruptcy.  We agreed to further activate the bilateral cooperation mechanism between Pakistan and Qatar,” he added.

The FM said the two sides can increase cooperation in the field of food security as “we are geographically close to each other.”

He said Qatar wanted to hire more Pakistanis in the social and economic spheres. “I have requested the Qatari Foreign Minister to provide quarantine facility at home to Pakistanis going to Qatar who have been vaccinated,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion the Qatari Deputy PM said his country shared views with Pakistan on the Afghanistan situation.

Al-Thani said his country had been active to resolve the Afghanistan issue for long. “Pakistan’s role has been appreciable. We support stabilit6y in Afghanistan,” he said.

The Qatari leader said he had contacted foreign counterparts on the Afghanistan issue. “We share views with Pakistan,” he added.