PM’s aide will hold important meeting with Afghan interim FM

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Special Representative on Afghanistan Muhammad Sadiq Khan, who is also Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) and State Minister, left for Moscow on Sunday to take part in high echelon deliberations on Afghanistan.

He will represent Pakistan in quadrilateral consultation process with Pakistan, China, Iran and Russian participation. Khan will be heading Pakistan’s delegation in seventh “Moscow Format” on Afghanistan, commencing tomorrow (Tuesday).

Both the events are being hosted by the Russian Federation, where Afghan issue will come up for discussion. Sadiq Khan told The News here before leaving for Moscow that special representatives and senior officials from Russia, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, India and Uzbekistan would attend the Moscow Format. Afghan Foreign Minister Mulla Amir Muttaqi will also participate as a member. Previously, Afghanistan enjoyed the status of observer in the format. Pakistan had endorsed its elevation in the forum. Khan reminded that Moscow Format is the most influential multilateral platform where regional countries coordinate their practical approaches to the Afghan peace settlement. To a query, Pakistan’s representative said terrorism and drug trafficking would be on the top of the agenda during discussions in the format. Sadiq Khan would impress the need that Afghan soil should not be used for perpetrating terrorism in any other country. The Afghan representatives would be reminded their regime’s commitment with the international community in this regard.

Sadiq Khan will have an important meeting with Afghan interim Foreign Minister Mulla Muttaqi in Moscow before the latter’s departure for Indian capital New Delhi later this week. It is understood that he would discuss with Muttaqi subjects of mutual interest and Pakistan’s concerns with regards to Afghan situation. One of the significant engagements of Sadiq Khan in Moscow would be his meeting with host Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Khan will convey Pakistan leadership’s important message for the Russian leadership through its Foreign Minister. Senior officials of the government are accompanying Pakistan’s Special Envoy who left by a special flight for the Russian capital in the wee hours of Sunday.