FM Qureshi in Kabul for trilateral peace talks with China, Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is visiting Kabul today (Saturday) to participate in the second round of trilateral ministerial talks between Pakistan, Afghanistan and China.

At the meeting, the officials from three countries will discuss Afghan peace talks and bringing the Taliban to negotiations table.

FM Qureshi, who is accompanied by foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua and other senior officials of the ministry, will lead the Pakistani side in the meeting.

وزیر خارجہ شاہ محمود قریشی افغانستان کے ایک روزہ دورے پر کابل پہنچ گئے، ان کے ہمراہ سیکریٹری خارجہ تہمینہ جنجوعہ، اور وزارتِ خارجہ کے اعلیٰ حکام موجود ہیں۔ pic.twitter.com/onR3TZrRH4

— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) December 15, 2018

During his stay in Kabul, he is expected to hold meetings with his Chinese counterpart and Afghan officials.

Speaking to media before departure, the minister lauded the Chinese initiative of holding the trilateral dialogue. He said both Pakistan and China desire peace, stability, prosperity and development in Afghanistan.

He said he was carrying the message of friendship and peace to Kabul.

Qureshi stressed that peace is vital to take forward the region on the path to sustainable development.

It is worth mentioning here that Prime Minister Imran Khan a day earlier confirmed Pakistan is facilitating talks between the United States and Afghan Taliban, which are set to begin on Monday.

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His statement came around two weeks after he received a letter from President Donald Trump in which he sought Islamabad’s cooperation in securing a negotiated settlement to the Afghan conflict.

Speaking at a function held to mark the 100 days of the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said the US had asked him to facilitate peace talks with the Taliban.