ISLAMABAD: Gulbuddin Hekmatyar - a former warlord and current head of Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan along with a delegation will arrive here today (Monday) on a three day -19-21 October 2020 official visit to the country.

During the visit, Hekmatyar will call on Prime Minister Imran Khan, President Dr Arif Alvi, Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani, Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other dignitaries. He will deliver a talk at a policy think-tank and interact with the media.

A statement issued by the Foreign Office said that the visit of Hekmatyar will provide an opportunity for exchange of views on the Afghan peace process and strengthening of Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations as well as people-to-people interaction.

It said that Pakistan attaches high importance to its fraternal ties with Afghanistan, rooted deep in shared history, faith, culture, values and traditions. Pakistan fully supports all efforts for peace, stability and prosperity of the Afghan people.

"Pakistan has consistently supported an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process," it added.

Hekmatyar's visit will further strengthen bilateral ties and people-to-people linkages between the two brotherly countries and help advance efforts for peace and stability, it added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020