There will be a threat of civil war if Afghanistan left alone: FM Qureshi

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that if Afghanistan is left alone, there will be a threat of a civil war.

Addressing a press  conference with his British counterpart at the Foreign Office on Friday, he said:  "Afghanistan has been at the centre of our good relations and good talks on Afghanistan. We have set up a new platform, namely  ESDJ under which we will further improve our relations. It will have its first meeting in Islamabad. We want a partnership for peace in Afghanistan."

He said that the two countries have similarities in the expected steps in Afghanistan. "We will continue to play a positive role in bringing peace to Afghanistan."

The minister said that Pakistan wants to get out of the grey list on the FATF. "I have asked the British foreign secretary for support in this regard."

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Robb said that the foundations of Pak-UK relations were very strong. "We discussed peace in Afghanistan. 1,500 British citizens were evacuated from Kabul. The UK is aware of the plight of Afghanistan's neighbours," he said.

Robb said that Pakistan's role in the region is very important. "We have deep ties with Pakistan and will continue to have it in future. We will do everything possible to help Afghanistan's neighbours, including Pakistan. We will soon increase our budget for humanitarian aid. The first tranche of US$30 million in aid to Afghanistan will be released today."

Referring to the Kashmir issue, Dominic Robb said that they want the solution of the Kashmir issue in accordance with the aspirations of the  Kashmiris. "Pakistan and India should discuss the Kashmir issue," he concluded.