FM Qureshi meets Pompeo, tells US not to make same mistake as it did in 1980s

WASHINGTON: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Friday met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to brief him about his recent trips to Iran and Saudi Arabia, where the foreign minister met senior government officials in the wake of heightened tensions in the Middle East.

He mentioned that Pakistan facilitated a dialogue with the Taliban on the request of President Trump “in a hope for peace and stability”.

To a question on primary goal of his recent talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, the foreign minister said it was aimed at de-escalation and to defuse the conflict to avert negative effects in the region. On the Afghan peace process, he expressed the hope of an agreement between the US and Taliban. “The Taliban are today talking to US and there is a possibility of an agreement,” he said, mentioning about Thursday’s announcement by Taliban of a ceasefire of 7-10 days before they could take next stepleading to dialogue.

Asked about the role of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in supporting the Haqqani network, the foreign minister said, “Let’s not discuss the past but future, which is in every body’s interest.

When asked if Prime Minister Imran Khan would participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s regional summit to be held in India this October, he said, “The prime minister is very, very clear that if India takes one step, Pakistan will take two. However, he regretted that unfortunately India was showing a negative attitude.”