High-ranking delegations from 14 Participating States, 17 Supporting Countries and 12 International and Regional Organizations are expected to participate in the conference. Foreign Ministers from ten countries have confirmed participation in the Conference.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will formally inaugurate the conference tomorrow. Ministerial conference will be held on the second day on Wednesday.

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai will make opening remarks at the meeting.

Advisor to the Prime Minister will also hold a meeting with his Chinese counterpart on sidelines of the conference.

The Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process was established in 2011 at the initiative of Afghanistan and Turkey. The main objective of the Process is to foster efforts for regional cooperation and connectivity with a view to promoting long-term peace and stability as well as progress and development in Afghanistan, and the region.

The Fifth Ministerial Conference is expected to adopt a forward looking Islamabad Declaration entitled "Enhanced Cooperation for Countering Security Threats and Promoting Connectivity in the Heart of Asia Region". The Declaration would underline commitments from the Heart of Asia countries and partners for sustained efforts towards promoting peace and security, economic development and connectivity in the region.