ISLAMABAD: During Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s recent trips to Russia and China, the two countries appreciated Islamabad’s efforts in working toward a peaceful settlement of the decades-long conflict in Afghanistan, the Foreign Office said on Thursday.
“Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role for promoting peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan,” Dr. Mohammad Faisal, Foreign Office spokesperson, said during his weekly press briefing in Islamabad.
Qureshi had visited Afghanistan, China, Iran, and Russia this week to “discuss recent developments concerning the Afghan peace process” and to strengthen bilateral relations with these countries.
Dr. Faisal added that Qureshi’s “very successful shuttle visit” to the four countries would help “generate a consensus among all the stakeholders to advance the peace process in Afghanistan”, adding that “India has no role to play in Afghanistan”.
He said that a consensus is developed at the international level to settle the 17-year-long Afghan conflict through negotiations with the Taliban. “Pakistan’s longstanding position to give peace a chance in Afghanistan is recognized everywhere,” he said.
He added that the recent developments for peace in Afghanistan, including the talks in Abu Dhabi which were attended by representatives of the US, Taliban, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have provided a “significant opportunity to also strengthen our bilateral relations with all these countries” and encouraged all to listen to various views on Afghan reconciliation.
Dr. Faisal said the visit had also helped “formulate a joint regional strategy for peace in Afghanistan and explore realistic possibilities of regional integration in terms of trade and economy”.
Pakistan arranged for crucial peace talks between the US and Afghanistan from December 17-19 in Abu Dhabi to find a negotiated settlement to the Afghan conflict.
Recounting other achievements on the foreign policy front, the spokesperson said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had made successful visits to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and China, in recent months, to strengthen the bilateral relationship, and enhance trade and economic cooperation.
He said that Pakistan had also opened the visa-free Kartarpur Corridor in November this year to allow Sikh pilgrims from India to visit a revered shrine there.
“We tried to resume talks with India …. Prime Minister Imran Khan wrote a letter to Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for resumption of the dialogue but, unfortunately, India stalled all our efforts,” he said.
Russia, China acknowledge Pakistan’s efforts in Afghan peace process – Foreign Office
Russia, China acknowledge Pakistan’s efforts in Afghan peace process – Foreign Office
- India has no role to play in initiative to end the war, spokesperson says
- Follows PM Khan’s successful visits to Saudi Arabia and the UAE to strengthen bilateral ties
Pakistan PM to attend World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Switzerland next month
- The WEF meeting, scheduled to be held in Davos on Jan. 19-23, will focus on global challenges, public-private dialogue and cooperation
- Government, business, civil society and academia leaders will engage in forward-looking discussions to address these issues, set priorities
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Switzerland next month to attend the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Pakistani state media reported on Monday.
The WEF annual meeting, themed as ‘A Spirit of Dialogue,’ will be held from Jan. 19 to Jan. 23 in Davos, where world leaders from government, business, civil society and academia will engage in forward-looking discussions to address global issues and set priorities.
Prime Minister Sharif is expected to interact with global leaders and investors on economic challenges, regional and international issues and various opportunities for cooperation.
On Monday, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar presided over a meeting in Islamabad to oversee preparations for Sharif’s upcoming visit to Switzerland to attend the WEF meeting, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Dar instructed to maximize the engagements with the incoming Heads of States, Governments and senior leadership of economic, business and financial institutions,” the report read.
The WEF meeting program will be structured around key global challenges where public-private dialogue and cooperation, involving all stakeholders, is necessary for progress, according to the WEF website.
In addressing these challenges, growth, resilience and innovation will serve as cross-cutting imperatives, guiding how leaders engage with today’s complexity and pursue tomorrow’s opportunities.
Pakistani foreign ministry officials briefed the deputy PM about preparations for the WEF meeting, according to Radio Pakistan. The participants of Monday’s meeting in Islamabad discussed in detail the bilateral component and media engagements during the visit.
“He [Dar] further stressed that opportunities be explored to foster collaboration with private sector business entities,” the state broadcaster said.
