Islamabad- Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz says Pakistan desires early start of talks between Afghan government and different Afghan groups for peace and stability.
Talking to journalists and addressing a conference on Afghanistan in Islamabad today, he said Pakistan is only playing the role of facilitator in the reconciliation process and persuading the groups it has contacts with, to start the dialogue process. He said there are prospects of dialogue between Afghan government and different groups in the coming days.
He said Pakistan is pursuing the policy of non-interference in Afghanistan, and hoped this policy will also be followed by other regional countries. He said Afghanistan needs lot of help for economic development but it has to resolve the political issues on its own. Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan wants strong trade and economic relations with Afghanistan, as part of its policy of peaceful neighborhood. Engagements with the neighboring countries have been enhanced in order to achieve this objective.
He said that a series of steps have been taken to remove trade impediments and enhance volume of trade with the neighboring country. He said both the countries are also pursuing liberal visa policy, to give impetus to trade and economic relations.
Sartaj Aziz pointed out those mineral resources in Afghanistan are enormous and hoped the international community, will extend a helping hand for the exploitation and utilisation of these resources.
Responding to a question about registration of case against MQM Chief Altaf Hussain, the Advisor on Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Interior Minister held a meeting with the British high commissioner yesterday and handed over some necessary documents to him about the case.