Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Russian President agreed coordinated approach on Afghanistan
Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stressed the importance of adopting a coordinated approach to address the evolving situation in Afghanistan.
Khan said that Pakistan attached high importance of the role of the Troika Plus format (which includes Pakistan, Russia, China and US).
Pakistani premier stressed that “a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan was vitally important for Pakistan and regional stability.” Besides ensuring safety, security and protection of rights of Afghans, an inclusive political settlement was the best way forward, he said.
Both sides stressed the importance of maintaining peace and security in the country, preventing violence and establishing an inter-Afghan dialogue that would facilitate the formation of an inclusive government that takes into account the interests of all segments of the population.
The two leaders “agreed to coordinate approaches to the Afghan issue both in bilateral and multilateral formats” the Kremlin said in a statement.
Khan and Putin agreed to utlize the capabilities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in ensuring regional stability, in the fight against terrorism and the drug threat. They agreed to closely cooperate within the SCO for promoting regional peace and security.
During the discussion on late August 25, they touched upon several topics on the bilateral agenda, including the development of trade and economic ties, and the implementation of joint projects in the energy and humanitarian spheres.
Pakistani premier reiterated government’s resolve to strengthen trade relations as well as bilateral collaboration in energy sector, including early realization of the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline Project.
PM Khan also invited President Putin to visit Pakistan at his earliest.
