DUSHANBE: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has reiterated that Pakistan will continue to support a united, sovereign and peaceful Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbours.
“Pakistan supports Afghan people and wants an Afghan-owned peace process in the country,” Qureshi said while addressing the 9th Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) Ministerial Conference in Dushanbe today (Tuesday).
“The deliberations at the conference will be meaningful and productive and the Dushanbe declaration will reflect our resolve to support the Afghan people at this most consequential time in their history,” he added.
The foreign minister said, “Having faced conflict and instability for over 40 years, Afghanistan has never been so close to turning the tide.” Reiterating Pakistan’s support, he said, “We want a united, sovereign, and peaceful Afghanistan and for the country to have peace within itself and with its neighbours.”
“The progress made, thus far, has indeed created a historic opportunity for the Afghan leadership to achieve an inclusive broad-based comprehensive negotiated political settlement,” FM Qureshi added.
He also expressed concern over the violence in Afghanistan, saying that precious lives were being lost due to violent incidents in the country. Qureshi urged the Afghan people to take the process forward through good faith and result-oriented negotiation.
The foreign minister also highlighted Pakistan’s contribution towards Afghanistan’s development, saying that besides facilitating the peace process Pakistan has been extending all possible support to Afghanistan.
“Pakistan has committed $1billion for Afghanistan’s development and reconstruction out of which nearly $500 million have already been spent on infrastructure and capacity building projects,” he added.
He also pointed out that besides COVID-19 Pakistan has opened five border crossing points with Afghanistan to facilitate bilateral and transit trade. “We are committed to move forward on regional connectivity and energy projects such as CASA 100 and TAPI,” he concluded.
