Qureshi expressed concerns over speedy withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan
TLTP
ISLAMABAD
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that peace in Afghanistan is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders.
Talking to the media persons on Monday, the foreign minister expressed concerns over speedy withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan.
The minister said that sixty percent of foreign troops have already been pulled out. He said that Pakistan wants that withdrawal of the forces and peace process occur in tandem.
Terming Afghanistan a divided house, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Afghan government and Peace Council do not seem focused in their approaches. He said that unrest in Afghanistan will adversely impact Afghanistan.
He said that Pakistan is already hosting three million refugees and the uncertain situation in Afghanistan will start a new influx of refugees into our country. The foreign minister stressed the need for making intra-Afghan dialogue a success to ensure regional peace and stability. He said peace in Afghanistan is important for Pakistan to achieve its dream of regional connectivity.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has reiterated its hope that the United States will continue its engagement and efforts for the success of Afghan Peace Process.
Responding to media queries, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said peace in Afghanistan remains a shared objective. To a question about Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Dr Abdullah Abdullah’s visit to the United States, he said it is their bilateral issue.
FM Qureshi lashes out at Afghan NSA
On June 5, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had lashed out at the Afghan NSA for his comments against Pakistan and called on him to “reflect and correct” his behaviour.
Responding to media queries on June 19, the Foreign Office spokesperson had strongly condemned the “baseless insinuations” by the Afghan NSA and noted that Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process has been widely acknowledged by the international community.
