Today, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi received a telephone call from Ann Linde, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden.
The Foreign Minister apprised the Swedish Foreign Minister of Pakistan’s perspective on the latest developments in Afghanistan. The Foreign Minister added that in the last few days he had been in touch with several European and other Foreign Ministers to exchange views on Afghanistan.
The Foreign Minister underlined that no other country wanted a peaceful and stable Afghanistan more than Pakistan. He added that Pakistan had consistently advocated for an inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan as the best way forward and had been supporting efforts in that direction.
The Foreign Minister emphasized that the immediate priority was to ensure safety, security and protection of rights of all Afghans. He said that as a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan was fully facilitating several European countries, international organizations and media agencies to evacuate their nationals/employees and others from Afghanistan. Pakistan’s efforts have been widely acknowledged.
Foreign Minister Qureshi highlighted the importance of international community’s sustained engagement with Afghanistan. International community must show solidarity and support with the people of Afghanistan, both in the humanitarian arena and economic sustenance.
Foreign Minister Qureshi informed Foreign Minister Ann Linde of his upcoming visit to neighboring countries of Afghanistan to consult them on the developing situation.
Foreign Minister Linde conveyed her government’s deep appreciation for Pakistan’s assistance in the evacuation of Swedish Embassy staff and others from Kabul.
Both the Foreign Ministers expressed the resolve further to strengthen bilateral relations in all spheres especially in trade, education and innovation. The Foreign Minister extended an invitation to his Swedish counterpart to visit Pakistan at an appropriate time.
The two Foreign Ministers agreed to remain in contact.
Islamabad
23 August 2021
410/2021
Last modified: August 23, 2021
