Qureshi to plead for enhanced Af-Pak coordination

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi arrives in Kabul on Saturday (today) for talks with President Ashraf Ghani and other officials.

Since his take over as foreign minister, it is his maiden trip to any country. The new Pakistani government says the visit is indicative of its interest in strengthening ties with Afghanistan.

During his daylong visit to the Afghan capital, the foreign minister is expected to make a pitch for enhanced coordination on security-related issues between the neighbours.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry says Qureshi will meet President Ghani and other senior Afghan officials. The minister is also likely to call on Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdullah.

Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, during a phone call on Sept. 3,  had invited his Pakistani counterpart to visit Kabul. Qureshi will extend an invitation from Prime Minister Imran Khan to Ghani to visit Pakistan.

The two sides will also discuss bilateral trade issues and Pak-Afghan Action Plan for Peace and Stability. The closure of Pakistan’s consulate in Jalalabad is also on the agenda.

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