Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to continue cooperation for lasting regional peace

ISLAMABAD - Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani on Monday agreed to continue to joint working for achieving lasting regional peace.

Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Salahuddin Rabbani called Qureshi and congratulated him on his appointment as foreign minister.

Expressing the greetings and best wishes of the government and people of Afghanistan for Pakistan, Rabbani said that he looked forward to strengthen Pak-Afghan bilateral relations, said a statement issued by the foreign office.

While thanking his Afghan counterpart, Qureshi reiterated that as close neighbours, peace and prosperity of the two countries are interlinked while highlighting the need to work together for achieving lasting regional peace, it added.

"Both sides appreciated the recent improvement in relations since the launch of APAPPS process in May 2018. It was noted that the framework provided the most comprehensive institutional mechanism to discuss all mutual issues," read the statement.

The two leaders agreed that the next round of Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) would be soon held in Islamabad.

"They also welcomed the holding of joint Pak-Afghan Ulema Conference in Islamabad, the dates for which are being finalised," it added.

The issue of closure of the Pakistan Consulate General in Jalalabad due to a security crisis was also discussed. Qureshi requested the Afghan Government to restore the previous security arrangements existing till 28th August 2018, so that the Consulate General's normal functioning could be resumed at the earliest.

The Afghan counterpart reassured a positive outcome soon in this regard and mentioned his meeting with the Ambassador of Pakistan in Kabul yesterday.

Till resolution of the issue, Pakistan in the meantime would continue issuing visas to patients or students residing in the jurisdiction of the consulates as an emergency measure.

Foreign Minister Rabbani also extended an invitation to Shah Mahmood Qureshi to visit Afghanistan at an early date, which he accepted.