Pakistan won’t take responsibility for all the ills in Afghanistan, this blame game must come to an end: FM

The Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shah Mahmood Qureshi has expressed concerns over the statements of Afghanistan Vice President and the National Security Adviser against Pakistan. He said that this blame game must come to an end as it will not help.

According to media reports, the Foreign Minister has expressed his views while addressing the inaugural session of Pak-Afghan Bilateral Dialogue in Islamabad on Monday. He said Pakistan could not be held responsible for all the ills in Afghanistan.

On the occasion, the Foreign Minister has said that Pakistan will continue to play its constructive role for the success of Intra-Afghan Peace talks and Pakistan is now recognized at the world level as part of solution and not part of problem. He said there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict.

Also read: Cooperation b/w Pakistan and US is important for peace in South Asian region: FM

Shah Mahmood Qureshi further stated that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan and the whole region. He said that Pakistan played a vital role for the peace agreement between US-Taliban in Doha and Intra-Afghan negotiations will also lead sustainable peace.

The Foreign Minister also expressed concerns over the violence in Afghanistan and said that reduction in violence leading to ceasefire is imperative to move forward.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi has stressed that both the Afghan government and the Taliban will have to demonstrate flexibility to reach a settlement. He said that there spoilers inside and outside Afghanistan and both the parties should be fully cognizant of their nefarious designs.

“Pakistan has taken a very clear decision of non-interference and it has no favorites in Afghanistan. We have invited every Afghan ethnic group to our country to discuss peace and stability,” he said, adding that Pakistan is doing everything possible for the management of border with Afghanistan. However, increase in the footprints of Daesh in Afghanistan is a matter of concern.

FM Qureshi added that Pakistan has been hosting a sizeable number of Afghan refugees and time has come for their dignified and honorable return to their homeland.