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
Punjab extends Basant timings as Lahore marks festival with traditional zeal
- The festival marking the onset of spring was banned in 2008 after deaths and injuries to motorcyclists and pedestrians from stray kite strings
- Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz says the extension is a ‘reward for the people of Lahore for celebrating Basant with great discipline and for responsibly’
ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has extended timings for the Basant kite-flying festival till early Monday morning, she announced on Sunday, as people in the provincial capital of Lahore celebrated the spring festival with traditional zeal for the third consecutive day.
The Basant, a festival marking the onset of spring, was banned in 2008 after deaths and injuries to motorcyclists and pedestrians from stray kite strings — sometimes coated with metal to make them more fearsome in mid-air battles.
The government of CM Nawaz this year allowed Basant festivities in the provincial capital of Lahore, Pakistan’s cultural heart, on Feb. 6-8, but issued an extensive safety plan regarding kite materials and motorcyclists and pedestrians to avoid any untoward incident.
Extravagantly colored kites continued to duel above Lahore and residents gathered on rooftops with family, friends and visitors for the third day on Sunday as the city celebrated the lifting of an 18-year ban on the spectacular three-day kite-flying festival.
“I am pleased to announce that Basant celebrations timings are being extended till 5:00 AM tomorrow morning,” CM Nawaz said in an X post on Sunday, highlighting the festivity, unity and joy across Lahore.
“This extension is a reward for the people of Lahore for celebrating Basant with great discipline and for responsibly following all safety SOPs (standard operating procedures).”
The Punjab government banned metallic or chemical-coated strings. Kites and strings had to bear individual QR codes so they could be traced, and motorcyclists had to attach safety rods to their bikes to fend off stray thread.
Some 4,600 producers registered with the authorities to sell kites and strings ahead of the festival. Authorities had made it mandatory for owners to register rooftops with 30 or more revelers, while dozens of roofs had been declared off-limits after inspections.
“Please continue to celebrate safely, stay away from electric wires, secure your rooftops, and follow all guidelines,” Nawaz said. “Let’s make this historic Basant joyful, safe, and memorable for everyone.”
