ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has said that Pakistan has taken a clear stand that Afghan soil should not be used against us under any circumstances.
During a news conference in Islamabad, he gave details of his recent visits to Moscow, Brussels, and Bahrain and stressed that peace in Afghanistan is essential for the stability of the entire region
The Deputy Prime Minister said that he represented Pakistan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Heads of Government meeting in Moscow on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
In the meeting, Pakistan presented comprehensive proposals regarding poverty alleviation, regional economic cooperation, economy, trade, energy, transport linkages, logistics, infrastructure, humanitarian and cultural cooperation.
Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan proposed to promote mutual payments in local currencies among member countries and supported the establishment of the SCO Development Bank, Development Fund and Investment Fund.
At the end of the meeting, 11 decisions were approved and a joint declaration was issued containing a future strategy for economic cooperation.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that peace in Afghanistan is very important for the stability of the region. Pakistan stressed joint efforts among all member states in this regard and said that Afghan soil should not be used against Pakistan.
He added that Pakistan sends back Afghan refugees in a dignified manner and wants to continue cooperation for the development of Afghanistan.
During the meeting in Moscow, Ishaq Dar also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, the Prime Ministers of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the Foreign Minister of India, the Foreign Minister of Qatar, and the President of the Council of the European Union.
The meetings discussed the situation in the region, Afghanistan, Gaza, mutual transactions in local currencies and regional cooperation.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan’s priority is to ensure peace, stability, and the elimination of terrorism in the region.
Pakistan’s position regarding Afghanistan is clear that its territory should not be used against Pakistan in any way, while ensuring the development and honorable return of the Afghan people.
