ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is ready to work with Afghanistan in all fields including political, economic, trade and transit and security for the progress and prosperity of both the countries, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif told his Afghan counterpart on Wednesday.
Asif spoke with Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani over the phone, informing him that Islamabad attaches great importance to its relationship with its western neighbour, according to a statement released by the Foreign Office.
Asif also underlined Pakistan’s support for the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process for bringing lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, the communiqué added.
They also agreed to meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York later this month.
A day earlier, Pakistan’s envoys posted in key world capitals began consultations to prepare recommendations for the government to deal with the situation evolving in the wake of the new Afghan strategy the US President Donald Trump announced last month.
The conference was inaugurated by Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, who outlined the government’s approach on the Afghan situation. “The only viable option [for peace] is an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process,” he added.
Many analysts agree that Trump administration may resort to tough measures – including political, diplomatic, economic and even military – to persuade Pakistan to stop its alleged support to groups including the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani Network.
Pakistan civil and military authorities as well as the parliament have unanimously rejected the allegations and reminded the US of its ‘enormous sacrifices’ in the fight against terrorism. The National Assembly and Senate in their resolutions even called for using the option of blocking the crucial supply lines Pakistan provide to the US and other foreign forces in Afghanistan.
Islamabad has also put on hold bilateral engagement with Washington. But the move is believed to be linked to the ongoing efforts to respond to the new US strategy.
Published in Daily Times, September 7th 2017.
