August 9, 2021
2 mins read

Pakistan to host regional conference on Afghanistan

The idea behind the initiative is to discuss the latest situation and evolve a consensus in order to prevent a civil war in Afghanistan…reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan is likely to host a regional conference on Afghanistan to be attended by foreign ministers of the immediate neighbours of the war-torn country as well as other stakeholders as part of a diplomatic push to prevent a civil war there, Express Tribune reported.

“We are planning to host foreign ministers of the key regional countries on the Afghan situation,” a senior Pakistani official told The Express Tribune requesting anonymity.

The official added that they could not provide the list of invitees. However, sources said foreign ministers of the neighbours of Afghanistan including Russia, China, Iran and other stakeholders including Turkey would attend the conference.

The idea behind the initiative is to discuss the latest situation and evolve a consensus in order to prevent a civil war in Afghanistan.

The neighbours of Afghanistan are concerned that the deteriorating situation in the war-torn country would have a negative impact on the region, the report said.

In order to counter what Pakistan says is baseless propaganda by certain quarters in Afghanistan, Islamabad’s civil and military leadership discussed a counter strategy last week.

While Pakistan contemplates hosting the foreign ministers of regional countries, the plan to organise a meeting of leaders of different factions of Afghanistan is now in doldrums.

Pakistan was supposed to host the “Afghan Peace Conference” last month as part of its diplomatic initiative to bring all Afghan players on board.

The conference, however, was postponed after the Ghani administration refused to send a delegation.

The sources said the conference’s idea had now been shelved altogether given the deepening mistrust between Pakistan and the Afghan government.

According to the sources, while Pakistan would continue to seek a political settlement in Afghanistan, the focus would now be on securing the border to minimise the impact of the Afghan civil war.

The report said another aspect of the strategy includes stepping up the campaign against the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is likely to get emboldened against the backdrop of the Afghan Taliban’s victory.

Pakistan’s efforts to persuade the Afghan Taliban to take action against the TTP were met with lukewarm response.

Therefore, the sources said Pakistan had decided to fight its own battle instead of pinning hopes on others to take on the TTP.

There has been a sudden spike in TTP terrorist attacks since the US and NATO forces started withdrawing and as a result, the Taliban started making rapid inroads.

ALSO READ: Pakistan may target dissidents in UK

ALSO READ: Pakistan retained in UK travel red list

Previous Story

Prolonged Afghan civil war likely, says former US envoy

Next Story

India-Taiwan ties are quietly cementing amid friction with China

Latest from -Top News

Activists Targeted Again in Balochistan

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) on Tuesday condemned the enforced disappearance of Baloch leader Ghani Baloch, blaming Pakistan’s Law Enforcement Agencies and Frontier Corps….reports Asian Lite News The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC),

Islamabad-Ankara-Baku Axis Sharpens Against India

Both Turkey and Azerbaijan have openly expressed solidarity with Pakistan and backed Islamabad in its military standoff with India, this month….reports Asian Lite News The evolving alliance between Islamabad, Ankara, and Baku

India Targets Pak Terror Ties in Guyana

The delegation met the Guyanese President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who had hosted a dinner to celebrate friendship and shared aspirations between the two nations…reports Asian Lite News Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, currently

EU Vows US Trade Deal

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen phoned Trump on Sunday, after which he agreed to postpone the planned tariff increase until July 9….reports Asian Lite News The European Commission remains “fully

ASEAN Unveils 2045 Vision

ASEAN leaders formally adopted the ACV 2045 and its strategic plans across four pillars: political-security, economic, socio-cultural, and connectivity…reports Asian Lite News The Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045 — a strategic
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Imran fails to bring economic progress to Pakistan

Depreciating Pakistan’s currency PKR (Pakistan Rupee) and continuing high inflation

UN Chief Calls for Calm, Dialogue in Pakistan-Iran Row

Iran and Pakistan carried out attacks inside each other’s territories