ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top diplomat in Kabul has said peace in Afghanistan can benefit his country’s bilateral trade with the war-battered state and enhance regional connectivity, local media reported on Wednesday.
Speaking to Express Tribune on the phone, Ambassador Mansoor Ahmad Khan maintained no country in the world had suffered as much from the Afghan conflict as Pakistan.
Afghanistan witnessed a rapid political change in recent weeks after the Taliban captured its major cities and border crossings before entering Kabul on August 15.
Khan said the two countries could equally benefit after the formation of an inclusive political administration in Kabul.
"Peace and stability in Afghanistan mean peace and stability in Pakistan, " he said. "It means, economic growth, economic engagement and interaction for both countries."
The Pakistani envoy added a stable Afghanistan could lead to "greater connection between South Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Central Asia and Eurasia."
“Given the changing dynamics in the region, a peaceful Afghanistan can benefit more than an unstable Afghanistan,” he added.
Khan spoke of participatory politics and an inclusive administration to prevent internal conflict in Afghanistan.
Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also briefed the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, emphasizing the need for a coordinated strategy on Afghanistan during his interaction with members of different parliamentary parties.
"Pakistan's positive role in the Afghan peace process and its efforts for humanitarian assistance and evacuation of foreign nationals were appreciated [by the committee]," he was quoted as saying by Express Tribune in a news report.
Pakistan’s envoy in Kabul says peace in Afghanistan can benefit bilateral trade, regional connectivity
https://arab.news/j9txg
Pakistan’s envoy in Kabul says peace in Afghanistan can benefit bilateral trade, regional connectivity
- Ambassador Mansoor Ahmad Khan tells local media no country in the world has suffered as much from the Afghan conflict as Pakistan
- Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has called for a coordinated strategy on Afghanistan while briefing a Senate committee
India captain says will travel for Pakistan clash despite boycott
- Pakistan have announced they will boycott their match against India on Feb. 15 in Sri Lanka
- India need to be at the stadium on Feb. 15 to ensure they are awarded two points for match
MUMBAI: India captain Suryakumar Yadav said Thursday that his team would show up in Colombo for their T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan, despite their Group A opponents and arch-rivals boycotting the match.
“We haven’t said no to playing them (Pakistan),” Yadav told reporters at Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium, where India will begin their campaign against the United States on Saturday’s opening day.
“They are the ones who have said no. Our flights are booked and we are going to Colombo.”
India need to be at the stadium and ready to take the field for the February 15 match in order to make sure of being awarded the two points for a match forfeit.
The tournament, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, has been overshadowed by weeks of political posturing in the build-up.
Bangladesh were kicked out for refusing to play in India and Pakistan’s government then told its team not to show up at the clash of the arch-rivals as a show of support for Bangladesh.
Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in global or regional tournaments events.
India start the T20 World Cup on home soil with a great chance of retaining the title they won two years ago and Yadav agreed they were the side to beat.
“The way we have been playing, it looks like we are the favorites,” he smiled.
If that seemed like an overconfident statement, the India captain was quick to caution: “There are 19 (other) good teams in the tournament, though.
“On a given day, when you play, you have to bring your A-game and play good cricket.”
India know that their opening opponents, the United States, caused the biggest upset of the 2024 tournament when they beat Pakistan in a super over.
Yadav said no team would be taken lightly.
“I’m sure every game will be very important,” he said.
