Inclusive govt in Afghanistan is only way forward: FM Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan has always been in favour of peace in the region.

Talking to international media om Tuesday, Qureshi said that Pakistan has played its part in the Afghan peace process, now it is up to the people of Afghanistan to decide their future and what they want to do.

FM Qureshi also strongly rebuffed any interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan and said, “Pakistan does not want to interfere in Afghanistan’s internal matters,” adding that Pakistan only wants good relations with them.

Responding to a question, FM Qureshi said, “If you want peace, there is no way than an inclusive government, adding, “The more you take people together, the better it would be.”

Commenting on the issues of prisoners release between Taliban and Afghan government, FM Qureshi said, “Exchanges of prisoners have also happened in the past, if releasing of prisoners develops peace in the region then Ashraf Ghani should think about this decision.”

On a query about spoilers, FM Qureshi said that certain elements who had apprehension about the agreement could act as spoilers, He further said that these elements were not happy with the peace agreements and wanted to use Afghan soil against Pakistan.

Expressing his views on the peace deal, FM Qureshi termed it as ‘a first step towards the right direction,” adding that the parties involved would prefer and give due consideration to the peace and reconciliation in the country

Referring to Indian Occupied Kashmir, FM Qureshi said that Modi-led Indian government committed a blunder on August 5 last year, adding that strong protests had exploded throughout India over such illegal steps.

He said the Indian forces had laid siege and complete lockdown in the occupied valley after enactment of the discriminatory laws in sheer violations of the basic human rights.