ISLAMABAD - Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi yesterday said that Pakistan was the most affected country by the war in Afghanistan.
Speaking at a webinar through video link, he said Afghanistan was not just the neighbour of Pakistan but the two countries have historic relations based on faith and culture.
“Peace and stability in Afghanistan is indispensable and very important for Pakistan. For more than four decades, the Afghan people have been deeply affected by instability and the on-going conflict in their country. Pakistan has been hardest hit by the effects of this conflict,” FM Qureshi said.
The Foreign Minister said that the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan offers hopes and optimism that the decades-long conflict will end. It also offers new prospects for lasting peace, economic development and regional connectivity.
He said the positive momentum of the inter-Afghan dialogue must be maintained and this historic opportunity must not be missed.
The FM also said the peace process must be protected from the elements that were trying to disrupt it.
Qureshi underlined that the world community should urge all parties to agree on ways to reduce violence that could lead to a ceasefire.
Appreciating the role of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Afghan peace process, he urged the world community to prepare a roadmap for post-conflict reconstruction and economic development in Afghanistan, including a timetable for the return of Afghan refugees.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Pakistan had always wanted a peaceful, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Afghanistan.
In telephonic talks with Afghan counterpart Mohammad Haneef Atmar last week, Qureshi said that Pakistan and Afghanistan were committed to establishing a border market on the special directive of Prime Minister Imran Khan to increase the volume of trade in the border area.
The Foreign Minister stressed the need to finalize the draft of this bilateral agreement soon.
He added that Pakistan had played a conciliatory role under the joint responsibility for the peace agreement between the United States and the Taliban.
Qureshi said Pakistan considered holding inter-Afghan talks as a rare opportunity for lasting peace in Afghanistan. The success of the inter-Afghan talks is essential for peace and stability in the region.
The Foreign Minister also raised the issue of early release of Pakistanis imprisoned in Afghan jails for petty crimes. The two Foreign Ministers agreed to continue consultations for peace and stability in the region, including the Afghan peace process.
