ISLAMABAD
\nAs terrorism in Pakistan continues to claim innocent lives, Afghanistan\u2019s Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi has urged Islamabad and banned militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to sit together for a dialogue.
\n\u201cIt is requested that Pakistan and TTP sit together for dialogue,\u201d the Taliban-led administration\u2019s minister said while addressing an event in Islamabad on Monday.
\nMuttaqi is currently on a four-day visit to Pakistan to attend bilateral and trilateral dialogues during which, he mentioned, discussions around the region\u2019s security situation were also held. Pakistan\u2019s anger has increased over the Taliban administration\u2019s failure to reign in TTP which is behind a new wave of terror in the country. The security situation in Pakistan\u2019s northern and southwestern provinces has worsened in recent months forcing the authorities to reiterate their commitment to eradicate the menace of terrorism. Islamabad had held several rounds of talks \u2014 brokered by Kabul \u2014 with the outlawed TTP but the negotiations failed last year after which the militant group started terror activities.
\nAcknowledging Pakistan\u2019s loss while fighting against terrorism, he said: \u201cIn the last 20 years, Pakistan has lost 80,000 lives to terrorism.\u201d The minister also spoke about Afghanistan successfully achieving peace after 44 years.
\nHe added that the challenges faced by neighbouring countries Pakistan and Afghanistan are not different from one another. The minister said both countries have been through various situations and will now work together.
\n\u201cPakistan and Afghanistan will have to show flexibility and move towards a brighter future,\u201d Muttaqi said.
\nExpressing Afghanistan\u2019s interest in maintaining economic ties with Pakistan, the minister stated: \u201cPakistan has always been our focus. There has been interest in economic ties with the country since the beginning.\u201d
\nThe Afghan leader said trade between the two nations continued despite political differences and hoped to continue economic relations in the future. Commenting on the significance of trade routes between the two countries, Muttaqi said: \u201cClosure of trade routes eliminates several employment opportunities for ordinary citizens.\u201d
\nMuttaqi suggested that bilateral progress can increase 10 times with Pakistan\u2019s investment in Afghanistan\u2019s energy reserves. He added that both countries have been facing political and economic challenges for the last two years, but possess potential for growth.
\n\u201cMany problems including livelihood and unemployment can be controlled by working together,\u201d he said.
\nThe Afghan minister also spoke about maintaining excellent ties with nations including Pakistan Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. \u201cWe want to develop economic relations with Pakistan and Central Asia. Our foreign policy is based on dialogue and mutual relations,\u201d he said, adding that their administration\u2019s recent visits to Uzbekistan, Samarkand and Pakistan are an example of their good relations.<\/p>\n
He termed the lack of economic ties with other countries as a \u201cmajor challenge\u201d.<\/p>\n
He praised Pakistan\u2019s efforts for economic prosperity and connectivity in the region. Muttaqi also said that Afghanistan\u2019s relations with Pakistan are also on cultural and religious basis.<\/p>\n
Speaking about the Taliban\u2019s government in Afghanistan, the minister said: \u201cIt has been 20 months to our government in Afghanistan. Several problems have been overcome by the grace of Allah.\u201d<\/p>\n
Responding to a question regarding women\u2019s participation in the workforce, the Afghan minister said: \u201cAfghan women, 1,000 women health workers, are working in various fields including. They are also currently studying in different madrassahs.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD As terrorism in Pakistan continues to claim innocent lives, Afghanistan\u2019s Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi has urged Islamabad and banned militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to sit together for a dialogue. \u201cIt is requested that Pakistan and TTP sit together for dialogue,\u201d the Taliban-led administration\u2019s minister said while addressing an event in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":330113,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-330094","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n