PM Imran Khan, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani discuss Pak-Afghan relations
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan held a meeting with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of Central South Asia Conference on Friday.
Both leaders discussed the Pak-Afghan relations, current situation in Afghanistan and regional situation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan also met European Union Vice-President Joseph Borrell. They discussed the cooperation between Pakistan and the European Union as well as current situation in Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Imran Khan highlighted Pakistan's key participation in the Afghan peace process. "The solution to the Afghan dispute lies in the political process led by the Afghan leadership," he added.
He stressed the need for continuous links among the international leaders after the pullout of foreign troops from Afghanistan.
Addressing the International Conference on "South Asia-Central Asia Regional Connectivity-Challenges and Opportunities", PM Imran Khan has said that Pakistan is directly affected by situation in Afghanistan.
He said that the blaming Pakistan for the situation in Afghanistan is sad and disappointing. "We encourage all the neighbours and international stakeholders for their positive roles for a political settlement in Afghanistan," he added.
"No other country has played the role that Pakistan has played in bringing the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table. We want peace in Afghanistan, peace and security in the region is the most important," the prime minister maintained.
He said that regional peace and stability is of paramount importance for enhanced trade and economic cooperation in the region. "The Afghan situation and unresolved disputes are the key challenges to peace and stability in the region. Afghanistan is the natural land bridge between Central Asia and South Asia, and peace in Afghanistan is the most critical factor for regional connectivity."
"Pakistan has suffered seventy thousand casualties and a huge economic loss due to the unrest in Afghanistan. He said three million Afghan refugees have been living in Pakistan for decades. He said we do not have capacity and economic strength to get more inflow of Afghan refugees."
Kashmir is core issue
Referring to the unresolved disputes in the region, Imran Khan said Kashmir is the core issue between Pakistan and India. He said the huge potential of cooperation remains untapped because of unresolved disputes in the region.
CPEC is flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative
PM Khan said that Pakistan welcomes cooperation between Gwadar Port and other ports of the region. He said that the CPEC is the flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative, and it will promote regional cooperation.
