FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi leads Pakistani delegation at Heart of Asia conference

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 06 Jan 2023

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is being accompanied by Foreign Secretary Sohail Mehmood, Pakistan's envoy to Tajikistan, and senior officers of FO.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi to highlight positive efforts of Pakistan with regards to the Afghan Peace Process.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi to hold consultations with key regional and international partners on the sidelines of the conference.

The ninth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) has begun in Dushanbe, Tajikstan with the Pakistani delegation being led by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, reported Radio Pakistan on Tuesday.

The foreign minister is being accompanied by Foreign Secretary Sohail Mehmood, Pakistan's Ambassador in Tajikistan Imran Haider, and senior officers of the Foreign Office.

In his special address at the conference, Qureshi will highlight the positive efforts of Pakistan for the Afghan peace process and Pakistan's support for Afghanistan's development within the regional framework.

On the sidelines of the conference, Qureshi will hold consultations with key regional and international partners.

Qureshi, in a conversation with APP on the sidelines of the conference, said that the world knows Pakistan’s stance on Afghanistan and regional politics.

“World knows Pakistan’s stance the region knows this. Pakistan’s sacrifices and efforts for peace are not hidden,” said the foreign minister. He added that Pakistan was focusing on the future of this region.

“We believe if there will be peace and stability here then our wish of regional connectivity will go forward and that will benefit Pakistan and the region,” said Pakistan’s top diplomat.

The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was launched in 2011 and is an important platform to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in Afghanistan through regional cooperation, confidence-building measures (CBMs), and dialogue.

"Pakistan attaches high importance to this process and has been a regular contributor to the advancement of its objectives. Pakistan is the lead country for Disaster Management and Agriculture Development CBMs under the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process," said the Foreign Office.