PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): China and Pakistan agree that a peaceful, stable and connected Afghanistan could help boost regional trade and connectivity.
The agreement came at a meeting between Chinese Special Envoy of Afghanistan Yue Xiaoyong and Pakistan Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood at the Foreign Office on Monday
The diplomats exchanged views on the extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan to promote economic development.
The foreign secretary urged the Afghan government to address international concerns about inclusivity; respect for the rights of all Afghans, including girls’ education and effective counter-terrorism measures.
Yue Xiaoying and Sohail Mahmood also discussed the political and security situation in Afghanistan, humanitarian assistance from Pakistan and China and other issues of mutual interest.
A statement from the Foreign Office said Mahmood underscored Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful, stable, prosperous and connected Afghanistan.
The foreign secretary also called for unfreezing of Afghanistan’s foreign reserves and facilitation of banking operations to ease the economic hardships of the Afghans.
He said Pakistan firmly believed that the international community’s focus should not be diverted from the dire situation in Afghanistan due to events taking place elsewhere.
Stressing continued constructive engagement and cooperation with the interim Afghan authorities, he highlighted the central role of platforms such as the Troika Plus and Six Neighbouring Countries of Afghanistan in advancing shared goals.
Earlier, the Chinese special envoy held talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Special Assistant to the Mohammad Sadiq.
They took stock of the evolving situation and discussed humanitarian assistance, infrastructure development, as well as trade and transit initiatives.
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