Pakistan Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi urges Afghan political agreement

Pakistan's foreign minister has urged the Taliban and other leaders in neighbouring Afghanistan to try to reach an inclusive political settlement as soon as possible.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi issued the appeal on Monday at a news conference ahead of his upcoming visit to several regional countries.

Qureshi will leave for Uzbekistan on Tuesday on a trip that will also include stops in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Iran to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. He said he had already spoken with officials in China by phone.

Qureshi said it was a good sign that the Taliban were already talking to some other Afghan leaders, including former president Hamid Karzai. Qureshi said Pakistan will continue to play its role for a peaceful and politically negotiated solution of the Afghan issue.    (AP)