Italy's foreign minister discusses situation in Afghanistan with Pakistani leaders

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – Italy’s foreign minister met Pakistan’s military and political leadership Monday to discuss the evolving situation in neighboring Afghanistan.

Luigi Di Maio, who arrived in Islamabad Sunday night on a two-day visit, met Pakistan’s army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa at army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, according to a statement from the military.

“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security, the current situation in Afghanistan, and collaboration in humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan were discussed,” the statement said.

Maio appreciated Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan, including the “successful” evacuation operations and efforts for regional stability and pledged to play a role for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels, it added.

Earlier, the Italian foreign minister met his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi to discuss a range of issues, including Afghanistan, said a separate statement.

Welcoming the forthcoming G20 conference on Afghanistan, Qureshi said the Taliban’s promises for an end to the decades-long war, protection of human rights, general amnesty, and other steps are “encouraging.”

Islamabad, he added, has facilitated the evacuation of some 12,000 people from Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover on Aug. 15.

The two top diplomats agreed to remain in “close contact” on the developing situation in Afghanistan, the statement added.