‘Pakistan, China share common views on Afghan issue’

BEIJING: Afghanistan is another area where Pakistan and China hold common views and they are moving ahead jointly to promote Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process.

This was stated by the Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in an interview with Chinese major media outlet, the Global Times. During his stay in Beijing last week, the Minister had a detailed interaction with the media, highlighting the importance, Pakistan attached with its friendship with China and for working together to promote peace and prosperity in the region.

He said, both Pakistan and China are committed to peace and development in Afghanistan and wished early settlement of the issue, as desired by its people. About the recent Strategic Dialogue, the two countries held here, he said this not only reinforced our close friendly ties but also allowed both sides to evaluate the regional situation and the steps which could be taken to improve it.

The Minister co-chaired with State Councillor Wang Yi the inaugural meeting of Dialogue following a decision of the political leadership of both countries in November 2018 to elevate the dialogue to Foreign Minister's level.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said, he held in-depth discussions with State Councillor on the whole spectrum of our bilateral relations including high level exchanges, future development and direction of CPEC, cooperation in the fields of trade, defence and security, enhancing people-to-people exchanges and regional and international issues of mutual interest.

He hoped this platform will serve as an opportunity to further consolidate our time-tested All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and reiterate our commitment to building closer China-Pakistan community of Shared Future in the New Era.

Applauding China’s support to Pakistan in regard to its sovereignty, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said, China is a voice of reason and wisdom in our region. "We value and appreciate China's support and for its call to exercise restraint and upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. We welcome the Chinese efforts and its good offices to stabilize the situation in our region. "