FM Qureshi thanks Saudi Arabia for convening OIC meeting to discuss Afghan situation

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a telephone conversation with Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Monday.

They exchanged views on the latest situation in Afghanistan and also discussed a number of issues of bilateral importance.

Qureshi thanked Saudi Arabia, in its capacity as the current Chair of the OIC Summit, for convening the OIC’s extraordinary meeting at the level of Permanent Representatives on August 22 to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

He underlined that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was of critical importance for Pakistan and the region. He expressed the hope that Afghan parties would work for an inclusive political settlement to ensure sustainable peace and security in the country and the region.

Qureshi stressed the importance of international community’s active and sustained engagement with the Afghan people. He also apprised his Saudi counterpart of Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate the evacuation of personnel and staff of diplomatic missions, international organizations, media and others from Afghanistan.

In the bilateral context, the two foreign ministers reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken during the visit of the Saudi Foreign Minister to Pakistan in July 2021.

Expressing satisfaction at the growing momentum in bilateral relations, the two foreign ministers agreed further to strengthen cooperation in diverse fields. They also agreed to continue close collaboration on all issues of common interest.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi received a telephone call from Ann Linde, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden.

Qureshi apprised the Swedish counterpart of Pakistan’s perspective on the latest developments in Afghanistan. He added that in the last few days he had been in touch with several European and other foreign ministers to exchange views on Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister Linde conveyed her government’s deep appreciation for Pakistan’s assistance in the evacuation of Swedish Embassy staff and others from Kabul.