Islamabad to host Afghan-Pakistani Ulema conference

Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani telephoned his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday, Islamabad said.
Expressing the greetings and best wishes of the government and people of Afghanistan for Pakistan, Rabbani said that he is forward to working with Qureshi for strengthening ties between the two countries, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
For his part, Qureshi reiterated that as close neighbors, peace and prosperity of the two countries are interlinked. He also highlighted the need to work together for achieving lasting regional peace.
Both sides appreciated improvement in relations since the launch of Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Stability process in May 2018, according to the statement.
The top diplomats agreed that the next round of APAPPS would be soon held in Islamabad. They also welcomed the holding of joint Pak-Afghan Ulema Conference in Islamabad, the dates of which are being finalized, the statement said.
The conversation comes days after Pakistan closed its consulate in the Afghan city of Jalalabad over alleged interference by the provincial governor.
The sides also discussed the issue. Qureshi requested the Afghan government to restore the previous security arrangements, so that the consulate’s normal functioning could be resumed.
Till resolution of the issue, Pakistan would continue issuing visas to patients or students residing in the jurisdiction of the consulate as an emergency measure, the statement said.
During the call, Rabbani extended an invitation to his counterpart to visit Afghanistan at an early date, which he accepted.