TASHKENT, Uzbekistan: The Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi in Tashkent on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting.
During the meeting, the foreign minister reiterated solidarity and support for Afghan people following the destruction caused by recent earthquake in Afghanistan.
Bilawal Bhutto added that Pakistan remained firmly committed to a peaceful, stable, prosperous and connected Afghanistan.
The Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized that there was prospect of ending four-decade long conflict and establishing sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region. He highlighted the various steps taken by Pakistan to support bilateral engagements with Afghanistan and facilitating international humanitarian assistance.
The foreign minister also underlined the need for enhanced cooperation to promote economic integration and regional connectivity.
Bilawal reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment for regional connectivity and infrastructure projects including TAPI, CASA 1000 and TAP.
The Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi thanked the foreign minister for dispatching humanitarian assistance and for hosting Afghan refugees for the last four decades.
Amir Khan Muttaqi said that Pakistan may consider expanding its trade with Central Asian Republics through Afghanistan, which would further promote regional peace and security.
The Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is leading the Pakistan delegation to the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (SCO-CFM) meeting in Tashkent on July 28-29, 2022.
The invitation to attend the SCO-CFM was extended by the Acting Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov.
Looking forward to participate in SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in #Tashkent today. Together with FMs of China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and India the CFM will deliberate upon imp issues pertaining to further strengthening of SCO.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) July 29, 2022