ISLAMABAD: Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Wednesday said the situation in Afghanistan was a cause for concern due to the use of violence to resolve the conflict.
The Iraqi foreign minister arrived in Islamabad earlier for a two-day visit at the invitation of his Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The two leaders held delegation-level talks on a wide range of bilateral and regional issues.
In a joint press conference, FM Hussein said they discussed the Afghan issue and had expressed concern about the situation in the war-torn country.
“We are worried about the situation in Afghanistan because we see signals of using violence to solve the problem. The peace process and meetings are continuing and we hope that the solution will be through the peace process and negotiation between the various political parties in Afghanistan,” he said.
“In the end, Afghanistan needs peace. Peace in Afghanistan will affect the neighbouring countries as well but violence in Afghanistan affects all of us,” the Iraqi foreign minister said.
He acknowledged that Pakistan was playing an important role in the issue. “Pakistan wants to have peace in Afghanistan and believes in the various political groups coming together and working together to be partners.”
New visa policy
Iraqi Foreign Minister Dr Fuad Hussein assured Pakistan of introducing a new visa policy for Pakistani pilgrims aimed at facilitating their visits to the holy sites in Iraq.
The visiting Iraqi foreign minister said every possible facilitation would be extended to Pakistanis visiting holy places in Karbala and Najaf.
Dr Fuad Hussein said he would discuss with the Iraqi interior minister to “make it easier for Pakistani pilgrims visiting Iraq”, adding that promoting people-to-people level contacts were in the interest of both countries.
Foreign Minister Qureshi mentioned that the issue of smooth issuance of visas for Pakistani pilgrims to Iraq, especially during Muharram, was taken up.
He said a pilgrims management policy was under consideration and plans are underway to set up a Pakistan House at Karbala and a medical centre to facilitate the pilgrims.
