January 26, 2021
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi discussed the matters of mutual interests with Hanif Amtar, his Afghan counterpart on a telephone call on January 25, 2021.
FM Qureshi, highlighted Pakistan’s strategy to enhance trade between the two countries, by stressing upon the significance of the proposed setting up of Border Sustenance Markets, a special initiative by the Prime Minister Imran Khan to improve local trade and economic activity in the border areas. The foreign minister expected the finalization of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) soon.
Moreover, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s consistent support to a peaceful, stable and affluent Afghanistan, and said that the intra-Afghan negotiations are an excellent opportunity for the Afghan leadership to attain a comprehensive, generalized and inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan.
While expressing his concerns over the increased violence in Afghanistan, he stated that progress in the intra-Afghan negotiations will assist in decreasing violence, hence calling forth a ceasefire.
The intra-Afghan negotiations acted as a window of opportunity for the achievement of long-term peace in Afghanistan, he added. He also reiterated Pakistan’s long-held belief that there was no military solution of the Afghan conflict and a political settlement was the only way forward.
Pakistan will carry on playing a positive role in supporting the Afghan peace process and strengthening bilateral ties with Afghanistan, he continued.
Foreign Minister Qureshi also raised the issue of Pakistani prisoners suffering in Afghan prisons over petty crimes. He conveyed the hope for the release of those prisoners as per the presidential order, so they may be given the chance to return back to their families.
© Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and Afghan Studies Center (ASC), Islamabad.
