Global conference on Afghanistan future opens in Istanbul

ISTANBUL: A global conference aimed at mapping out the future of war-torn Afghanistan after Western troops depart opened in Istanbul on Wednesday.

Pakistan besides representatives from 20 countries including Nato and UN are joining aid agency members at the Istanbul talks almost 10 years after the Taliban were driven out of power in Kabul.

The gathering takes place a day after a trilateral summit hosted by Abdullah Gul, the Turkish president. It was attended by his Pakistan counterpart Asif Ali Zardari and Hamid Karzai the Afghan president as well.

President Abdullah Gul in his inaugural address said that ensuring security was imperative for expressing true solidarity with Afghanistan. The conference reviewed the roadmap for U.S. and allied forces withdrawal and Afghan peace process.

Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar is representing Pakistan in the conference, while among other countries of the region included Turkey, Afghnistan, India, Central Asian countries—Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

The representatives of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are also present in the conference.