Khawja Asif for concerted regional efforts to resolve Afghan conflict

TEHRAN: Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Monday held separate meetings with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif after his arrival here on a day visit.

According to TV reports, the foreign minister exchanged views with the Iranian leaders on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and regional security scenario especially in the backdrop of new US strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia.

National Security Adviser Nasser Janjua and Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua were present during the meetings.

Talking to media after the meetings, he said Afghanistan’s neighboring countries would have to agree on joint efforts to cope with the Afghan problem.

He said aim of his Tehran visit was to persuade the neighbors to hammer out consensus on some issues.

The foreign minister said during his last week visit to China, he stressed the need to find a political solution to Afghan issue. He said he would also discuss Pakistan’s viewpoint during his visit to Turkey.

He said peace in Afghanistan would have far reaching effects on the whole region.

Khawaja Asif said US army has failed in resolving issues facing Afghanistan as there could be no military solution to the Afghan problem.

He said no imported solutions couldn’t be effective.   

Earlier, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson said matters of mutual interests and regional situation and law and order situation in Afghanistan will come under discussion during the meetings. 

Last week, Asif delayed his meeting with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Washington. The Pakistani government also postponed the visit of Alice Wells, acting assistant secretary of state for South Asian affairs, to Islamabad after US President Donlad trump's allegations against Pakistan.

During his recent visit to China, Khawaja Asif has reiterated support for China's offer to host the first trilateral meeting of Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, China and Afghanistan later this year, focusing on strategic communication, practical cooperation, and security dialogue.