Pakistan has assured its all possible support for an early end to the bloodshed in Afghanistan and restoration of peace in the war-torn country. Afghan President's Special Envoy for Regional Consensus for Afghan Peace Mohammad Umer Daudzai on Tuesday arrived here and held discussions with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on the Pakistan-aided peace efforts.
According to a statement issued by Foreign Office here, Daudzai met Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Following his appointment to this new position, this is Daudzai's first visit abroad.
It stated that the Afghan special envoy conveyed the greetings of President Ghani for the Pakistani leadership while expressing Afghan government's strong desire to work closely with Pakistan in all areas of mutual interest.
"He [Daudzai] conveyed the deep appreciation of the sincerity and vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan for peace and stability in Afghanistan," it stated, adding that Daudzai stated that Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi's three visits to Kabul within a span of four months are a clear proof of Pakistan's strong support for Afghanistan. He briefed the foreign minister about his role to help create harmony among the various stakeholders, it added.
Welcoming Daudzai, it stated that Foreign Minister Qureshi said that peace and stability in Afghanistan is in Pakistan's own best national interest and necessary for economic development and prosperity in the region.
Qureshi highlighted the growing international convergence on the need to end the sufferings of the people of Afghanistan through peaceful settlement of conflict. "The foreign minister assured that Pakistan would do all to help the people of Afghanistan see the earliest possible end to bloodshed and enter a new phase of peace and prosperity," the statement added.
It further stated that the Afghan special envoy noted that both Pakistan and Afghanistan have a unique relationship marked by commonalities and similarity of interests. "This opportunity needs to be fully utilised by cementing various bilateral mechanisms of cooperation," it stated. The Afghan President's special envoy also expressed Afghan government's strong desire to make maximum use of the excellent framework provided by APAPPS [Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity] in all areas of cooperation.
"Enhancing bilateral trade and economic activities and more regular cultural and people-to-people contacts is the need of the hour. Both sides agreed for regular exchange of high level visits for creating greater harmony and coordination on various areas of mutual interest," it added.
The statement asserted that truly reflective of the brotherly feelings between the two peoples, the close cultural and historical bonds must be harnessed to usher the Pak-Afghan partnership into the new era for mutual benefit of both countries.