Pakistan, Afghanistan delegations discuss bilateral relations, regional situation

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan in their delegation-level talks on Sunday discussed the bilateral ties between the two countries and the regional situation.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari welcomed the Afghan delegation led by Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi at the Foreign Office, a press release said.

Pak-Afghan delegations discuss bilateral relations, regional situation

Both the foreign ministers led their respective delegations during the bilateral talks.

FM Bilawal stated on Sunday that it was an honour to host the foreign ministers of China and Afghanistan at the 5th China-Pak-Afghan Trilateral FMs Dialogue.

“We held productive discussions on political engagement, counter-terrorism, trade, and connectivity,” he said. “I look forward to constructive engagement under a trilateral process between our three countries.”

Pakistan, China vow to work for Afghan stability

At the 5th Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his Chinese and Afghan counterparts, held productive discussion on matters of mutual interest, including political engagement, counter-terrorism, trade and connectivity, according to media reports.

The trilateral dialogue was followed by the 4th round of Sino-Pak strategic dialogue.

Bilawal, while speaking at a joint stakeout with Qin Gang after the strategic dialogue, stressed that peace and stability in Afghanistan remained vital for the socioeconomic development, connectivity and prosperity of the region.

“We will continue to work together with all stakeholders for peaceful, stable, prosperous and united Afghanistan,” he said.

The foreign minister said engagement with the Afghan authorities was a must and it was their consistent message to them “help us help you”.

He said unlocking Afghanistan’s potential is crucial for the benefit of its people, and that achieving stability and peace in the country is essential.

He said the core issue and red line was terrorism, which posed a serious threat to regional peace and was a stumbling block in the way of prosperity for the Afghan people. He said that during his recent SCO-CFM meetings in India, they discussed different projects within the framework of SCO including CASA, Trans-Afghan railways, but all these projects hinged upon addressing the security issues in Afghanistan. – Agencies