Responsible withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan will help bring the Afghan peace process to fruition: Anthony Blanken
WASHINGTON – Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has reiterated to US Secretary of State Anthony Blankenship that he will continue to support the Afghan peace process, saying that lasting peace in Afghanistan can be achieved through Afghan leadership as well as regional and global. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his US counterpart Anthony Blinken had a telephone conversation on Friday in which bilateral relations and the regional situation were discussed.
The Foreign Minister said that Pakistan was committed to a broad-based and long-term relationship with the United States, including deepening bilateral economic cooperation, enhancing ties and bilateral cooperation for regional peace.
Referring to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s geo-economic vision, he said that Pakistan was keen to promote bilateral trade, investment, and bilateral economic cooperation with the United States.
The two Foreign Ministers also discussed various projects for the establishment of energy and connectivity for Pakistan from Central Asia via Afghanistan through Central Asia. The Foreign Minister held coordinated and high-level talks between Pakistan and the United States for regional peace and stability. Stressing the need, he said that the similarity in the perspectives of the two countries on peace in Afghanistan was welcome.
Pakistan is committed to continuing its sincere efforts as a reliable partner with the United States for peace in Afghanistan, and we expect a responsible withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan to complete the Afghan peace process he said. The Secretary of State reassured his US counterpart that lasting peace in Afghanistan is a shared responsibility of the Afghan leadership, regional and global powers and that all stakeholders have a responsibility to do so. Emphasize the need for a political solution to the Afghan problem through comprehensive dialogue with Afghan groups
