ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has met with Afghan Foreign Minister Haneef Atmar on the sidelines of the ongoing Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting, the Pakistani foreign office said on Friday. 

Qureshi left on Wednesday for Niger where he is leading Pakistan’s delegation to the 47th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC.

“During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on Afghan peace process and measures to further strengthen Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations,” the foreign office said. “Foreign Minister Qureshi extended condolences to his Afghan counterpart over recent terrorist attacks in Kabul and Bamiyan and reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations.”

Qureshi also stressed the importance of “reduction in violence leading to cease-fire” to save lives and advance peace efforts. 

“Pakistan will continue to facilitate the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process,” he added, emphasising the “need to remain vigilant about the role of ‘spoilers’ who did not wish to see return of peace in the region.”

Atmar expressed gratitude over Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent visit to Kabul and for Pakistan’s support for the reconstruction and economic development of Afghanistan.