China, Pakistan underline stability in Afghanistan

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan and China believe a peaceful and stable Afghanistan will promote economic development and connectivity in the region.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the international community to promptly assist the Afghan people in averting a humanitarian catastrophe.

At their maiden meeting in Beijing on Sunday, they also acknowledged that a peaceful South Asia was in the common interest of all parties.

The Prime Minister Office in Islamabad said Khan and Xi underlined the importance of dialogue and resolution of outstanding disputes to promote regional cooperation.

Accompanying Khan, his Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi also exchanged views on Afghanistan.

The Foreign Office said: “The foreign ministers also discussed the evolving situation in the region and beyond, in particular the grave humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.”

Both sides appreciated the important role played by a meeting of the six countries neighbouring Afghanistan in evolving regional consensus.

The third meeting of Afghanistan’s neighbours is scheduled to be held in China in late March. They vowed to maintain closer coordination to promote peace, stability and development in Afghanistan.

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