ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio in Islamabad on Monday and reiterated that the international community should remain engaged with Afghanistan to prevent economic collapse and a dire humanitarian crisis there.
Since the Taliban took over Kabul on August 15, foreign ministers of several European nations, including United Kingdom’s foreign secretary and the foreign ministers of Germany and the Netherlands, have traveled to Islamabad to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
Pakistan — as an immediate neighbor of Afghanistan which has suffered economically and security-wise due to years of conflict and instability next door — has been urging the international community not to “abandon” Afghanistan.
“In view of the evolving situation in Afghanistan, the international community has a responsibility to show solidarity with Afghans,” Qureshi said. “Peace in Afghanistan will benefit whole region.”
Foreign Minister Maio thanked Pakistan for its role in the evacuation of Italian nationals from Afghanistan.
“Pakistan has provided assistance to 12,000 citizens of different countries in evacuation from Kabul and Pakistan is committed to continue its assistance in the evacuation process,” Qureshi said.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi (right) shakes hand with his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio in Islamabad, Pakistan, on September 06, 2021. (Photo courtesy: SMQureshiPTI/Twitter)
Italy is home to one of the largest Pakistani diaspora communities in Europe.
