Foreign Minister meets Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi received a high-level delegation, including the acting Ministers of Industry and Commerce, as well as the Deputy Minister of Finance and Aviation, along with Amir Khan Muttaki, the Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan. The External Affairs Minister was accompanied by Aviation Minister Sarwar Khan, Finance and Commerce Advisors, Shaukat Tarin and Razzaq Dawood and other senior officials.

Earlier in the day, working groups on trade, transit and commerce, finance and aviation, chaired by the respective ministers of the two countries, met.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi underscored Pakistan’s commitment to peace, stability and progress in Afghanistan. In this regard, the External Affairs Minister highlighted Pakistan’s continued efforts to facilitate humanitarian and economic assistance to Afghanistan in view of the twin challenges faced by the Afghan people.

Foreign Minister Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to strengthen bilateral ties with Afghanistan in all areas. He said the meeting provided an opportunity to build on earlier exchanges held during his visit to Kabul on 21 October 2021. The External Affairs Minister stressed that peace in Afghanistan will help strengthen regional stability, strengthen economic activity and connectivity.

During the meeting, the outcomes of the meetings of the Working Groups on strengthening bilateral and transit trade arrangements and facilitating the movement of people by land and air were shared. Pakistan offered technical assistance in many areas and shared many proposals. It was agreed to continue discussions with a view to strengthen existing ties and identify new areas of cooperation.

Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki thanked Pakistan for its continued support to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, and especially for hosting millions of refugees over the past four decades. He assured full cooperation in strengthening the cooperative ties of brotherhood for the mutual benefit of the peoples of both the countries.

The Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan held talks with the Special Representatives/Envoys under the Troika Plus format earlier in the day.

Islamabad
11 November 2021

576/2021

Last modified: November 11, 2021