ISLAMABAD — Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday held telephone talks with Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar on bilateral relations and progress on the Afghan peace process, according to the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan.

"Peace in Afghanistan was the highest priority as Pakistan had high stakes in return of stability to Afghanistan and the region," Qureshi said.

The Pakistani foreign minister called on Afghan leaders to seize this historic opportunity and achieve an inclusive, broad-based, and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan, according to a statement from the foreign office.

Qureshi said that the intra-Afghan negotiations would also provide an opportunity to address the return of Afghan refugees to their homeland with dignity and honor, the statement said.

The Pakistani foreign minister congratulated his Afghan counterpart on the successful holding of the second review meeting of Afghanistan–Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS), which was held on Aug. 31, 2020 in Kabul, according to a statement from the foreign ministry of Afghanistan.

The statement added that “fortunately the APAPPS meeting has made good progress and both the countries need to work toward full implementation of their commitments.”

Both sides agreed that APAPPS provides a comprehensive and pertinent forum to address all issues on key tracks of the bilateral relations.

Atmar also thanked Pakistan for playing an active role in the Afghan peace process and for supporting the peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. Minister Atmar discussed the need for achieving a peace that is sustainable and which leads to preserving the democratic achievements of the last 19 years.

Both sides discussed and emphasized the need for enhancing regional connectively through rail-way projects, economic investments, and developing infrastructure that connects the region. — Agencies