ISLAMABAD, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Wednesday made a pledge of 500 million U.S. dollars for economic development projects in Afghanistan at the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministry said.
This is in addition to a 500-million-U.S. dollar existing package under which projects in infrastructure, education and health are nearing completion, the ministry said in a statement here.
Addressing the Brussels meeting, Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz also announced that Pakistan has provided 3,000 scholarships to Afghan students for higher education in Pakistan and after completion of this program, Pakistan will provide another 3,000 scholarships 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 that took place in 2012 for affirming international community's engagement with Afghanistan through economic and financial assistance for the country.
Adviser Sartaj Aziz emphasized that a politically negotiated settlement is the most viable option for bringing lasting peace to Afghanistan.
He welcomed the peace deal signed between Afghan government and Hizb-i-Islami party, assuring Pakistan's continued efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan through the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG).
The adviser also urged the Taliban to shun violence and join the peace process.
Aziz underlined the importance of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan for Pakistan.
