ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hopes that US-Taliban peace talks would come to logical conclusion leading to intra-Afghan negotiations.
Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui at a weekly briefing in Islamabad on Thursday said this was also the subject of US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad during his recent visit to Pakistan.
She said Pakistan is closely following the developments regarding peace talks between the two parties and believes it is a good improvement that Taliban have shown willingness on talks and called for reduction in violence.
Replying to a question, the foreign office spokesperson said we are aware of protests held outside Pakistan embassy in Kabul and the matter has been raised with Afghan authorities.
Also Read: Afghanistan violence on the rise amid US-Taliban dialogue: sources
She said the venue for observing the function on Kashmir Solidarity Day at Pakistan embassy was changed and the concern has been taken up officially with the Afghan government.
Aisha Farooqui said ceremonies were held at Pakistan’s embassies and high commissions across the globe to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day in a befitting manner aimed at giving message to the world that Pakistan stands by its Kashmiri brethren in their just struggle for right to self-determination.
These ceremonies were attended by local parliamentarians, intellectuals, leaders of public opinion, civil society activists and people from various strata of life from the host countries, besides Pakistani expatriates.
Foreign Office spokesperson said this is an ongoing engagement with the local host government officials and it will continue.
Aisha Farooqui told a questioner that Organization of Islamic Cooperation has been one of the strongest proponents of Kashmir cause and several OIC resolutions have been passed on different aspects of Jammu and Kashmir dispute, including human rights violations taking place there, the legal angle and as well as the peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.
OIC held ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in September last year and the independent report issued by it condemned the human rights abuses in the held Kashmir.
On the upcoming visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Islamabad, the Foreign Office spokesperson said the modalities of the visit are being discussed. It is a scheduled visit of fixed duration.
She said Pakistan and Turkey enjoy warm and cordial relations and both stand by each other in times of need.
“Pakistan and Turkey support each other on core issues and will work together to solidify the existing ties,” she said.
Aisha Farooqui said so far only four Pakistani students have been affected by coronavirus in China and their condition is reported to be stable.
Chinese government is very active and providing all out support to foreign nationals in their country.
