Regional countries to play supportive role in Afghanistan - FM

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Tuesday said the neighbouring countries should have only a supportive role in ensuring peace, security and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and the Istanbul Regional Conference would help further this cherished objective.

Minister Hina Rabbani Khar

Talking to APP in Istanbul where she would represent the country at the Istanbul Regional Conference Wednesday, Khar said the meeting is being attended by immediate and extended neighbours of Afghanistan and important countries of the world with stakes in that country. The foreign minister said the conference would lead up to different peace processes including Bonn Conference on Afghanistan next month and Chicago conference.She expressed the confidence that the conference would give confidence to Afghanistan that all important players are supporting its initiatives for peace and stability.

She said Pakistan would support all initiatives aimed at protecting and promoting sovereignty of Afghanistan.

Commenting on proposals being floated by some countries aimed at creating a new security structure in the region vis-a-vis Afghanistan, Hina Rabbani Khar pointed out that there was no dearth of mechanisms in the region.

"We have so many mechanisms including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in which Pakistan has an observer's status, SAARC and ECO," she added.

The minister said instead of proposing new mechanisms, efforts should be made towards the implementation of the existing mechanism for peace, security and development in the region. She said, "Pakistan is an important and responsible state committed to peace and security in Afghanistan."

About inclusion of Afghan resistance forces in the peace process, she said it is for Afghanistan and the Afghan people and the government to decide this issue. APP