Blame game won’t serve region, Qureshi tells Afghan counterpart

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Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said negative statements could not obscure Pakistan’s positive contributions to the Afghan peace process and that “the blame game will not serve the region”.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Hanif Atmar on the sidelines of the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO-CFM) in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan.

The fates of Pakistan and Afghanistan are inextricably linked. We believe that working together will help us achieve stronger regional connectivity and more people-centered links. I look forward to receiving @MHaneefAtmar in Islamabad to continue our collective efforts. pic.twitter.com/5xoKA4u9JX

– Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) July 13, 2021

During the meeting, views were exchanged on the latest developments in Afghanistan and the way forward, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

FM Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued support for a peaceful and united Afghanistan, at peace with itself and with its neighbors.

Read also: Pakistan will continue to play a facilitator role for Afghan peace: FM

In view of the withdrawal of international forces from the war-torn country, the foreign minister urged the Afghan leadership to reach a negotiated political settlement as soon as possible, adding that such an outcome would bring peace, stability and prosperity to Afghanistan.

Qureshi noted that Afghan leaders should seize the historic opportunity and take advantage of international convergence on the final settlement of the Afghan conflict by working together for an inclusive, broad and comprehensive political settlement.

The way forward is ultimately determined by the Afghan leadership whose flexibility is essential to achieve a negotiated settlement, and any blame game is detrimental to the peace process. Neither the international community nor the people want a repeat of the civil war. https://t.co/SZZLkB4bjN

– Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) July 13, 2021

The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed concern at the high level of violence, which has resulted in countless loss of life. He underscored immediate steps to reduce violence, leading to a comprehensive ceasefire.

Stressing that negative statements could not obscure Pakistan’s positive contribution to the Afghan peace process, and that this blame game would not serve the region, the foreign minister urged his Afghan counterpart to address all concerns by the government. through established institutional mechanisms, including APAPPS.

He said Pakistan was looking forward to hosting the APAPPS review meeting in Islamabad at the earliest.

“Pakistan supports a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, which would yield dividends and mutual benefits in terms of regional peace, economic prosperity and regional connectivity,” he added.

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