Russia, China acknowledge Pakistan’s efforts in Afghan peace process – Foreign Office

ISLAMABAD: During Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s recent trips to Russia and China, the two countries appreciated Islamabad’s efforts in working toward a peaceful settlement of the decades-long conflict in Afghanistan, the Foreign Office said on Thursday.
“Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role for promoting peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan,” Dr. Mohammad Faisal, Foreign Office spokesperson, said during his weekly press briefing in Islamabad.
Qureshi had visited Afghanistan, China, Iran, and Russia this week to “discuss recent developments concerning the Afghan peace process” and to strengthen bilateral relations with these countries.
Dr. Faisal added that Qureshi’s “very successful shuttle visit” to the four countries would help “generate a consensus among all the stakeholders to advance the peace process in Afghanistan”, adding that “India has no role to play in Afghanistan”.
He said that a consensus is developed at the international level to settle the 17-year-long Afghan conflict through negotiations with the Taliban. “Pakistan’s longstanding position to give peace a chance in Afghanistan is recognized everywhere,” he said.
He added that the recent developments for peace in Afghanistan, including the talks in Abu Dhabi which were attended by representatives of the US, Taliban, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have provided a “significant opportunity to also strengthen our bilateral relations with all these countries” and encouraged all to listen to various views on Afghan reconciliation.
Dr. Faisal said the visit had also helped “formulate a joint regional strategy for peace in Afghanistan and explore realistic possibilities of regional integration in terms of trade and economy”.
Pakistan arranged for crucial peace talks between the US and Afghanistan from December 17-19 in Abu Dhabi to find a negotiated settlement to the Afghan conflict.
Recounting other achievements on the foreign policy front, the spokesperson said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had made successful visits to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and China, in recent months, to strengthen the bilateral relationship, and enhance trade and economic cooperation.
He said that Pakistan had also opened the visa-free Kartarpur Corridor in November this year to allow Sikh pilgrims from India to visit a revered shrine there.
“We tried to resume talks with India …. Prime Minister Imran Khan wrote a letter to Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for resumption of the dialogue but, unfortunately, India stalled all our efforts,” he said.