PM Imran, Trump meeting after advancement in Afghan Taliban talks: Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said a meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and US President Donald Trump would be possible after there was an advancement in Afghan Taliban talks taking place in Doha.

"Both these leaders are important personalities, and they have a deep interest in peace and stability of the region. An advancement is also taking place in this, and talks are continuing in Doha, an advancement has taken place in those (talks), (if) this advancement develops further so (then) there are possibilities of this (meeting), and because of these possibilities there can be a new opening in our bilateral relations," Qureshi said in an interview to Urdu News.

The foreign minister clarified that the meeting between PM Imran and US President Trump was not dependent on the success of these talks, however, the environment would become conducive if these talks go forward.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said there was no justification for keeping Pakistan on the Grey List of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), adding that the global community should acknowledge Pakistan’s steps against terror financing and money laundering. The minister hoped that Pakistan would be taken off the Grey List in June.

Qureshi said that the issue of deportation of Pakistanis from the US has been streamlined and a visit visa ban on three Pakistani officials will be lifted soon. Replying a question regarding Iran, the foreign minister said that there are some forces which continue to create misunderstandings between Pakistan and Iran. Without taking any name, he said those forces are which want to see Iran as a threat to this region and want to defeat Iran.

Answering a question on deteriorating security situation in Saudi Arabia, Pakistani foreign minister said that Pakistan has stood by the kingdom whenever it faced any danger and it will continue to stand by the Saudis in future too to protect the holy cities.

On Afia Siddiqui, he said that Pakistan was making efforts to bring her back but we will have to respect US laws in this regard. He said Shakeel Afridi will not be swapped with her to secure her release.