ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Wednesday Afghanistan was moving toward political stability, though he reiterated that Kabul should have a more inclusive political setup.
Qureshi made the comment while addressing the second ministerial meeting of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries in Tehran.
The diplomatic forum was established after the international forces pulled out of the war-battered country in August, bringing together regional players to evaluate the situation and devise a coordinated strategy.
“Afghanistan is transitioning to political stability,” said the foreign minister. “The expansion of the interim cabinet in Afghanistan is a step in the right direction … Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic society. Every community has a vital stake and role in the future of the country. For sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan, this reality must be respected and should be reflected in the political structure.”
Qureshi pointed out that Afghanistan was experiencing a “severe economic crisis,” adding that the international community must remain positively engaged to prevent another humanitarian disaster in the region.
At the outset of his visit to Iran, the foreign minister also paid a courtesy call on President Ibrahim Raisi and thanked him for Tehran’s consistent support over the Kashmir dispute.
According to a statement released by the foreign office in Islamabad, Qureshi briefed the Iranian president on Pakistan’s efforts to achieve stability in Afghanistan.
He maintained it was important for Afghanistan’s neighbors to have continued consultations for a regional approach since peace in Afghanistan would lead to stability, economic development and greater connectivity in the region.
