Addressing the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan today, Adviser Sartaj Aziz, underlining importance of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan for Pakistan, announced Government of Pakistan’s fresh pledge for $500 million for economic development projects in Afghanistan. This is in addition to $500 million existing package under which projects in infrastructure, education and health are nearing completion.
Sartaj Aziz also announced that Pakistan has provided 3000 scholarships to Afghan students for higher education and after completion of this programme Pakistan will provide another 3000 scholarships for Afghan students in Pakistani universities in the fields of medicine, engineering, banking and other fields to help Afghanistan’s institution building.
The Brussels Conference is being held as a sequel to the Tokyo
Conference held in 2012 for affirming international community’s
engagement with Afghanistan through economic and financial assistance
for Afghanistan.
Adviser Sartaj Aziz emphasised that politically negotiated settlement
was the most viable option for bringing lasting peace to Afghanistan. He
welcomed the peace deal signed between Afghan Government and
Hizb-i-Islami assuring Pakistan’s continued efforts for peace and
reconciliation in Afghanistan through the Quadrilateral Coordination
Group (QCG). He said our message to Taliban remained to shun violence
and join the peace process.
