Qureshi calls for political settlement in Afghanistan

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Top Pakistani and Afghan diplomats have conferred on the latest developments in Afghanistan and the way forward.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met his Afghan counterpart Hanif Atmar on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting i Dushanbe.

A statement from the Foreign Office in Islamabad said Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s consistent support for a peaceful and united Afghanistan.

The minister added his country wanted Afghanistan, where violence has sharply spiked in recent months, to be at peace with itself and its neighbours.

In view of the withdrawal of foreign forces, the minister urged Afghan leaders to achieve a negotiated political settlement at the earliest.

Such an outcome would bring peace, stability and prosperity to Afghanistan, Qureshi believed asking Afghan leaders to seize the opportunity.

The minister urged the Afghan leadership to take advantage of international convergence on the settlement of the conflict by working together for an inclusive and broad-based political settlement.

He expressed concern at the high level of violence, resulting in a huge loss of lives. He called for immediate steps to control the violence, leading to a comprehensive ceasefire.

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