Pakistan wants to see peaceful, stable Afghanistan, says Asif

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday said that Pakistan wants to see peace and stability in Afghanistan and will continue to play its due role for that purpose.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Asif said that Pakistan will contribute and play its due role in all the initiatives for peace and stability in Afghanistan.

He said bilateral, trilateral, quadrilateral and multilateral mechanisms for dialogue and interaction with Afghanistan are already in place and those should be utilized to their full potential.

The minister said both sides have recognised the need for political to political, military to military and intelligence to intelligence cooperation between the two countries.

He urged the nation to not forget their Kashmir brothers and sisters on Eid-ul-Azha, denouncing ongoing Indian atrocities on innocent people in the occupied valley.

"Hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris have been martyred, while thousands have been maimed or blinded since 1947. They continue to face enforced disappearances and fake encounters."

Asif said the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir are determined and have been struggling for their rights.

"We will continue to support the Kashmiri people morally, politically and diplomatically," he said, promising to keep taking up the Kashmir issue with international fraternity.

The minister called upon the world to come forth for stopping Indian brutalities in the occupied valley.

He also paid rich tributes to the armed forces for their sacrifices in the war against terrorism and for safeguarding the country's frontiers in the face of any aggression.

The minister expressed hopes that Pakistan will continue to achieve further successes and prosperity.