ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi while addressing an important virtual ministerial huddle on Wednesday (8th of September, 202) has called for an augmented community’s engagement to avoid humanitarian/economic crisis.
“Today I addressed an important and timely virtual ministerial meeting on Afghanistan hosted by (US) Secretary Blinken and (German) FM Heiko Maas on Afghanistan. As a country that has been profoundly affected by instability in Afghanistan for over 40 years, Pakistan has a vital interest in peace. We believe that only a peaceful Afghanistan with a strong and stable government will be a credible partner for the international community.
“We must not allow creation of a political vacuum in Afghanistan leading to insecurity and instability. A stable & peaceful Afghanistan can only be achieved through more, not less, regional & int’l engagement. Pakistan, as an immediate neighbor cannot afford to disengage.
“We also believe sustained int’l engagement with Afghanistan remains best counter-terrorism investment for all. Pakistan’s diplomatic missions in Afghanistan continue to work overtime and have provided critical support to the multinational evacuation effort from Kabul airport. We have also made special arrangements for the transit of Afghans who are to be resettled abroad.
“Ultimately, no country has a greater stake in ensuring Afghanistan never again becomes a sanctuary for terrorist groups Pakistan. Since 2001, fighting the war against terrorism has taken over 80,000 Pakistani casualties & caused direct losses of over $150 billion to our economy,” Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi maintained.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi pointed out that in order to reassure the people of Afghanistan the country needed renewed diplomatic and international presence. He stressed that the UN and its various agencies would have to play an important role to make sure that Afghanistan does not plunge into abyss of financial meltdown. Qureshi hoped for an early stabilization of political state-of-affairs in Afghanistan.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan hasd already commenced sending humanitarian assistance par avion and via road. According to the FO: “Three C-130s are being dispatched to Afghanistan. After the first immediate tranche through the air, further supplies would continue through land routes.” FO further has reassured that the Pak govt would continue to do its best to help the Afghan brethren.
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