PM reiterates Pakistan's abiding interest for peace, reconciliation in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday reiterated Pakistan’s abiding interest in achieving peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan through political settlement.

He said this while talking to US Secretary of State’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad who called on him in Islamabad.

Recalling his long personal commitment to the cause of peace in the region, the prime minister welcomed President Trump’s letter and the US assurance to work with Pakistan on this shared objective.

He also emphasised on the importance of intensifying regular engagement on priority areas in the bilateral context particularly trade, investment, education, health and social sector development.

Ambassador Khalilzad conveyed the good wishes of Donald Trump to Imran Khan.

Read More: Pakistan has always played supportive role for peace in Afghanistan: Qureshi

He said the US leadership looked forward to working with Pakistan in furthering the shared goal of peace through a political settlement in Afghanistan.

Earlier in a statement today, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan had always played a supportive role for bringing peace back in Afghanistan.

“Islamabad and Kabul have joint future and there will be no development if there is no peace in Afghanistan,” he said.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said over 50, 000 Afghan students had studied in Pakistani instituions and now they were serving in their own country and contributing in the capacity building of Afghanistan.