Stakes in Afghan peace push too high, says Qureshi

KABUL (Pajhwok): Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi believes stakes in the Afghan peace process are too high.

There was a golden opportunity for peace that all Afghan parties and stakeholders must seize, he said in an interview with a Turkish media outlet on Sunday.

Qureshi told Anadolu Agency: “The stakes are very high: If there’s progress, there can be peace, there can be stability, and the region collectively will benefit from the outcome of a peace process.”

Referring to concerns about a potential civil war in Afghanistan, he feared Afghanistan’s return to chaos if a political settlement was not achieved.

“The process which started in Doha should come to a logical conclusion through the Istanbul conference,” he stressed.

Pakistan had paid a huge price in terms of economy and trade because of instability in the neighbouring country, the foreign minister said.

“That is why we feel a stable and peaceful Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s national interest,” added Qureshi, who insisted the China-Pakistan Corridor would benefit the landlocked country.

About the withdrawal of US troops, the minister hoped President Joe Biden’s decision would help Doha negotiations come to a logical conclusion.

PAN Monitor/mud