Will continue sincere efforts for Afghan peace process: FM Qureshi

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that the government will continue sincere efforts for the Afghan peace process. Addressing Seventh Round of Pakistan-Afghanistan Track-II Dialogue in Islamabad on Tuesday, he said that Pakistan appreciates the progress made for Afghan peace. “Peace in Afghanistan has become inevitable due to trade in the region. Pakistan and Afghanistan have common interests. Our future is interlinked and we cannot flee from each other,” he maintained. He said that he had visited different countries and held several meetings with US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad for peace in Afghanistan. “Afghan people themselves have to decide their future.” Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan had played its due role in development of Afghanistan and pledged projects worth US$ one billion. He said that Afghanistan is a Pakistan's major trading partner, and the two countries do trade through rail and road. “Afghanistan's importance in regional connectivity cannot be ignored as completion of projects with Central Asian states such as TAPI and CASA-1000 is not possible without Afghanistan,” he said.

FM, Chinese vice-president discuss progress on CPEC project

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday called on Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan in Beijing and discussed bilateral relations including progress on China Pakistan Economic Corridor project. Speaking on the occasion, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan desires cordial relations with all the neighboring countries. He said Pakistan desires a strong economic partnership with China. The foreign minister said that Pakistan will also benefit from the Chinese experience in poverty alleviation and eradication of corruption. Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi reached Beijing on a three-day visit to China. At the airport, he was received by Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing, Pakistani Ambassador in Beijing Masood Khalid and senior officials of the Pakistani embassy.