Qureshi holds talks in Qatar after ‘successful’ visit to US

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held talks with his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha on Afghan peace process and regional security situation shortly after he landed in Doha on way back from his three-day official visit to the US. Qureshi217;s office said the foreign minister told Sheikh Mohammad that Pakistan217;s sincere peace efforts in Afghanistan are getting international recognition. “Resumption of dialogue between the Taliban and the United States has raised hopes for an end to the 40 years of long conflict in Afghanistan and peace in the region,” a statement quoted the foreign minister as telling his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed lauded Pakistan̵7;s initiative for the Afghan political process and regional peace. Earlier, senior officers of the Qatari foreign ministry, Pakistan217;s ambassador in Qatar Syed Ahsan Raza Shah and senior officials of the embassy received the foreign minister at the airport. On the concluding day of his visit to the US, the foreign minister held a meeting with US National Security Advisor Ambassador Robert O’ Brien at the White House. This was their first meeting since Ambassador O’ Brien217;s appointment as National Security Advisor in September last year. Recalling President Trump217;s willingness to mediate the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, Qureshi said the United States should urge India to end its lockdown in the occupied valley, desist from escalation along the Line of Control, implement UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir and let Kashmiris exercise their right to self-determination. Qureshi and the US national security advisor discussed bilateral relations and challenges in the South Asia and the Middle East. The foreign minister briefed NSA O’Brien on the grave human rights situation in Indian-held Kashmir, which has worsened since India imposed a complete blockade on the region in August 2019. He also apprised the national security advisor about Pakistan217;s efforts for peace and stability in the region as well as his recent diplomatic outreach in the Gulf region, and underscored Pakistan217;s desire to defuse tensions. He emphasized the need for de-escalation and dialogue and conveyed Pakistan217;s concern that instability in the Middle East will affect the neighbourhood and the global economy. He underscored Pakistan217;s willingness to play its role for peace in the region. Qureshi also reaffirmed Pakistan217;s support for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Donald Trump last year had articulated a shared vision for a broad-based and enduring partnership between Pakistan and the United States. He said that the expansion of bilateral economic and trade ties was key to realizing that vision. NSA O’Brien appreciated Pakistan217;s efforts for maintaining peace in the Middle East and South Asia. He also acknowledged Pakistan217;s contribution to efforts for achieving a peaceful political settlement in Afghanistan. Earlier, Foreign Minister Qureshi and Democratic member of US Senate Chris Van Holland during their special meeting at Pakistan House Washington, discussed bilateral ties and other issues of mutual interests. The foreign minister said that Pakistan attaches high priority to its ties with the US and wants to further strengthen them through promotion of strategic partnership. Qureshi informed him about the continuous lockdown of Indian-held Kashmir. He also appreciated Holland217;s principled stance over the continuing grave human rights violations in the valley. Qureshi reiterated that Pakistan along with US is keen to resolve the Afghan issue through political means. He observed that the whole region will benefit from a durable peace in Afghanistan. The US Senator said that from the historic perspective, the US and Pakistan have been partners in their peaceful efforts in the South Asian region. He also expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome accorded to him during his visit to Pakistan in October last year.