World now recognises Pakistan as part of Afghan solution: FM.

Islamabad: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday said that when it comes to Afghanistan, Pakistan is now being perceived by the world as part of the solution and not a part of the problem, adding that the invitation to Doha on February 29 to witness the signing of the deal between the US and Taliban was proof of the same.

Speaking at a press briefing alongside Foreign Secretary Sohail Mehmood in Islamabad, the foreign minister stated, "In August 2017, the US' statement on South Asia laid the entire blame for Afghanistan on Pakistan's shoulders, and we were being looked at as though we are part of the problem.

"Today, you are being perceived in a new light, you are now part of the solution. Today, you are being invited to Doha on Feb 29 to witness, because they recognise the role that you played as facilitators," he said, adding that this was due to continuous efforts. Qatar has invited Pakistan to the signing of the US-Taliban peace deal set to take place on February 29.

During a meeting on Wednesday, Qatar's ambassador to Pakistan Saqr bin Mubarak Al-Mansouri, on behalf of the Qatari government, had extended an invitation to Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Commenting on the change in the relations between US and Pakistan, the foreign minister said, "In the past, there have been ups and downs. When we came into power, relations were next to non-existent. But, in the past six months, you have had three summit-level engagements."

"I have had two bilateral meetings with US State Secretary Mike Pompeo. You need to recognise this change. Obviously, I cannot predict the events that will happen in the future and what measures we will take. But...