Special envoys of neighboring countries discuss Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Special envoys of several neighbouring states of Afghanistan met virtually over the weekend to discuss the evolving situation in the war-torn country amid a delay in the formation of a new government by the Taliban.

The envoys of China, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan attended a virtual meeting hosted by Pakistan, said a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Islamabad's special representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, chaired the meeting.

Welcoming his counterparts, Sadiq called for evolving a "regional approach" to address the common challenges and to realize the new opportunities arising from a stable Afghanistan.

A prosperous and peaceful Afghanistan, he added, would provide impetus to economic integration, strong people-to-people linkages, enhanced trade, and regional connectivity.

“The special representatives of neighbours of Afghanistan agreed to remain in close contact," the statement added.