The Heart of Asia conference in Amritsar, Punjab has begun on Sunday (today) as leaders from 40 countries gather to attend the annual event. Issues concerning the region including terrorism threat, security scenario and extremism was discussed on Saturday by senior officials of all 14 member countries and representatives of 17 supporting nations.
The two-day conference’s major focus is on helping Afghanistan during its transition phase by finalising a counter-terror framework and working on ways to bring back peace to the war-torn country.
Read more: 6th Heart of Asia conference begins, terror on agenda amid Pak-India chill
Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz is representing Pakistan in the conference.
The conference is being attended by forty Foreign Ministers and dignitaries of fourteen countries.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Advisor Sartaj Aziz says the peaceful resolution to all the longstanding issues is the only way forward for regional cooperation and connectivity.
Addressing Heart of Asia Conference in Amritsar on Sunday, he stressed the need for evolving a joint and purposeful strategy for lasting peace in Afghanistan.
The Adviser said Pakistan is ready to extend every kind of cooperation for lasting peace in Afghanistan. He said Afghanistan should avoid levelling false and baseless accusations on Pakistan.
He said Pakistan had laid down the foundations of Heart of Asia Conference with the collaboration of Turkey some six years ago.
Addressing the Heart of Asia Conference, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said peace in Afghanistan is imperative for peace and stability in the region.
He said the entire region is facing the challenge of terrorism which needs to be overcome by joint efforts.
Addressing the Conference, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called for joint efforts to fight terrorism in the region.
He said they are focusing on durable peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The Afghan President said efforts are being made for the capacity building of Afghan institutions.
He thanked world leaders for paying attention to the Afghan issue.
Ashraf Ghani welcomed Pakistan’s assistance of worth five hundred million dollars for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
Sartaj Aziz held a meeting with Indian Security Adviser Ajit Doval in Amritsar on Sunday.
During the meeting, matters pertaining to bilateral interest came under discussion.
Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz also held a meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of Heart of Asia Conference in Amritsar on Sunday morning.
Matters pertaining to durable peace and stability in Afghanistan were discussed during the meeting.
Read more: Heart of Asia conference: Modi, Ghani lash out at Pakistan on terrorism