Islamabad: Pakistan Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi to leadthe Pakistan delegation at the 9th Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP)Ministerial Conference, being held on 30 March 2021 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
According to the details issued by Pakistan Foreign Office, The Ministerialmeeting will be preceded by the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on 29 March2021. The theme of the Conference is “Strengthening Consensus for Peace andDevelopment.”
During the Ministerial Conference, the Foreign Minister will deliver astatement highlighting Pakistan’s positive contributions to the Afghanpeace process and its support for Afghanistan’s development andconnectivity within the regional framework. On the sidelines of theConference, the Foreign Minister will hold consultations with key regionaland international partners, said a statement issued by The Ministry ofForeign Affairs (MOFA).
According to the MOFA spokesperson, The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process,initiated in 2011, is an important platform to promote peace, stability andprosperity in Afghanistan through regional cooperation, confidence-buildingmeasures (CBMs), and dialogue. Pakistan attaches high importance to thisprocess and has been a regular contributor to the advancement of itsobjectives. Pakistan is the lead country for Disaster Management andAgriculture Development CBMs under the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process.
During his visit to Dushanbe, the Foreign Minister will have bilateralengagement with the Tajik leadership. Besides holding talks with ForeignMinister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Foreign Minister Qureshi will haveinteraction with other Tajik dignitaries and review the entire gamut ofbilateral relations.
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Pakistan highly values its close fraternal ties with countries in CentralAsia. Pakistan’s relations with Tajikistan are firmly rooted in commonfaith, shared history, and geographic proximity. There is a mutual interestin developing close cooperative ties in all areas. Pakistan hopes that thereturn of peace and stability in Afghanistan would further strengthen itshistoric links with Central Asia, including Tajikistan, read the MOFAannouncement.
The Foreign Minister’s visit to Tajikistan will help deepen bilateralcooperation in diverse fields and reinforce the growing partnership betweenthe two brotherly countries.
In 2015, Pakistan co-chaired the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, along withAfghanistan, and hosted its 5th Ministerial Conference in Islamabad.
