ISLAMABAD, Dec 27 (INP): Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal has said that Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role for promoting peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan to bring lasting peace and stability to the region.

Speaking at his weekly press briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Dr. Muhammad Faisal said that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has paid a very successful shuttle visit to Kabul, Tehran, Beijing and Moscow and it would help generate consensus among all the stake holders to advance the peace process in Afghanistan.

[timed-content-server show="12/28/2018 01:00 Asia/Karachi"]He said that the Foreign Minister’s visit was essentially part of government's policy to strengthen relations with all neighbors and regional countries. The spokesperson said that as part of the same effort the Foreign Minister will also visit Qatar soon. He said that Pakistan's longstanding position to give peace and reconciliation a real chance in Afghanistan has become the basis for an international consensus. Dr Muhammad Faisal said recent developments in Afghanistan which include Moscow Format Consultations, Geneva conference on Afghanistan and the Abu Dhabi meeting have all led to this widely acknowledged agreement. He said the new opening in Afghanistan and willingness of all countries who agree on Pakistan's important role as facilitator, has provided a significant opportunity to also strengthen our bilateral relations with all the neighbors especially for promotion of trade, economic and people to people linkages. The Foreign Officer spokesperson said this shuttle diplomacy also provided an opportunity to listen to views of the leadership in these countries for promoting a joint regional approach in Afghanistan and explore realistic possibilities of regional integration in economic terms. He said that the purpose of Foreign Minister's whirlwind visit was two-fold including strengthening of regional consensus on Afghanistan that is the key for medium to long-term stability of an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned solution to exploring possibilities of win-win framework for regional connectivity and economic development to help achieve the ultimate objective of economic growth and prosperity in the region. Responding to a question, the spokesperson categorically stated that India has no role to play in Afghanistan. To another question, Dr Muhammad Faisal strongly condemned the unabated Indian forces brutalities in Occupied Kashmir where some five hundred civilians have been killed over this year. He urged the international community, particularly the champions of human rights to urge India to immediately halt its atrocities in the held valley. He said that Jammu and Kashmir issue is at top of Pakistan's list of priorities and we will continue to expose the true Indian face in occupied Kashmir at all international forums. In reply to a query, the Foreign Office spokesperson said there are 341 Pakistani prisoners in the Indian jails including 154 civil prisoners and 187 fishermen. Our mission is in contact with all relevant Indian authorities for repatriation of these prisoners. Our High Commission in New Delhi also engages with the Indian media to highlight the plight of Pakistani prisoners. A law firm has also been hired to assist and facilitate their repatriation. INP/SB/AJ[/timed-content-server]