ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan during a meeting with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas stressed the need for urgent steps to be taken to stablise the security situation in Afghanistan and address the country’s humanitarian needs.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the German FM called upon the premier, where they discussed the Afghanistan situation, along with the ties between Pakistan and Germany.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Imran emphasised that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was “vitally important” for Pakistan as well as the South Asian region, the PMO said.
It was important for the international community to remain in support and solidarity with Afghans at this “pivotal moment” in the war-torn country’s history, the premier said.
“The prime minister underlined that urgent steps were needed to stabilise the security situation, address humanitarian needs, and ensure economic stability in Afghanistan.
“These would require sustained engagement with Afghanistan,” the PMO quoted the premier as saying.
He added that the two countries should work closely for the promotion of shared interests relating to regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, Maas conveyed cordial greetings from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He informed the prime minister of Germany’s views on the Afghan situation and thanked Pakistan for supporting and facilitating the country’s evacuation efforts from Afghanistan, according to the PMO.
He also highlighted that 2021 marked the 70th year of the establishment of relations between Germany and Pakistan.
“The two countries are holding a series of events to celebrate this milestone in a befitting manner,” the PMO said.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his German counterpart Heiko Maas on Tuesday exchanged views on the latest developments in Afghanistan as well as bilateral relations.
The foreign minister shared Pakistan’s perspective on the evolving situation in Afghanistan and stressed that the safety of Afghans and an inclusive political settlement were important.
He said being the immediate neighbour which suffered for 40 years from conflict and instability next door, Pakistan considered peaceful and stable Afghanistan of vital importance.
Foreign Minister Qureshi stressed the need for the international community to engage through positive messaging and constructive actions.
He stressed immediate steps to address the humanitarian needs and ensure sustained economic stability.
The foreign minister said measures must be taken to stabilize the security situation, preserve peace, and preclude any mass exodus.
He added that positive engagement with Afghanistan would help advance these shared objectives.
Noting the strong momentum in Pakistan-Germany relations, Foreign Minister Qureshi recalled the two visits by the Foreign Ministers in April 2021, their telephonic conversation of 21 August, and other high-level exchanges.
Qureshi also apprised the German foreign minister of his recent visit to neighboring countries of Afghanistan and his interaction with various foreign ministers.
The foreign minister added that Pakistan has been extending all possible support to foreign governments and international organizations in the evacuation of their diplomatic personnel, nationals and others from Afghanistan.
In the context of bilateral relations, the Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction over growing cooperation in diverse fields.
Stressing the high value Pakistan has attached to its relations with Germany, the foreign minister underscored the resolve to comprehensively upgrade the overall relationship.
The year 2021 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Germany.
A range of events are envisaged by the two countries to celebrate this milestone in a befitting manner.
Maas, who arrived in Islamabad for a two-day visit to discuss the unfolding situation in Afghanistan according to Radio Pakistan, said that while the Taliban had made commitments and pledges to form an inclusive government, it remained to be seen whether their promises were “reliable” in the coming days.
“It is important for us that all Afghans, even those who do not support the Taliban, feel represented by this government and it remains to be seen whether the Taliban take this into account.”
He added that Germany was preparing in close coordination with others to organise charter flights after the Kabul airport became operable again.
“We are already seeing that people are travelling via land routes to the borders of Afghanistan, and we need procedures to bring these people to Germany if they are eligible,” he said, adding that he had discussed the subject with Pakistani officials during the trip.
The foreign minister said he would be travelling to Doha and Qatar for the same purpose.
He thanked Pakistan for helping with evacuation from Kabul, adding that Germany stood prepared to support Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries that would not abandon it in this time of crisis.
Maas said Germany was coordinating with Pakistan for the evacuation of its citizens from Afghanistan and will continue to do so in the future.
According to Qureshi, Pakistan has facilitated the evacuation of over 10,000 people belonging to international organisations so far.
Sharing this information in a tweet, he added that “Pakistan has been extending all possible support to governments, EU and int’l orgs engaged in evacuation of their personnel from Afghanistan.”
Earlier, the Associated Press of Pakistan shared a video of the German foreign minister on Twitter, stating that he was received by Qureshi at the Foreign Office, where he also planted a sapling.
Prior to that, a statement issued by the FO on Monday said Maas and Qureshi would hold official talks on the latest developments in Afghanistan.
“Foreign Minister Qureshi will share Pakistan’s perspective on the evolving situation in Afghanistan and discuss ways of addressing its various dimensions,” the statement said.
It added that the two ministers were also expected to discuss matters of bilateral cooperation in political, economic and trade, security, defence, cultural and academic spheres.
During the visit, Foreign Maas will also meet other high-level dignitaries, the FO said.
The German foreign minister’s visit to discuss the unfolding situation in Afghanistan coincides with the completion of the US pullout from the war-torn country after 20 years.
In recent days, ahead of the August 31 deadline for the US exit from Afghanistan and following the Taliban takeover, Pakistan has been emphasising the need for close coordination of the international community for restoring peace in the neighbouring country.
As part of Pakistan’s efforts in this regard, Foreign Qureshi left for a four-nation visit last week to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran.
After concluding the visit, Qureshi had said that Afghanistan’s neighbours were “fully aware” of the situation in Kabul and their approach towards the issue “was realistic”.
“I had the opportunity to learn about their views on Afghanistan during my four-nation tour,” he had said. “The entire region will benefit if there is peace and stability in Afghanistan,” Qureshi had said, adding that the Taliban leadership was also in contact with all the countries.
“The people of Afghanistan have been dealing with wars for decades and want peace. They are suffering from the mistakes made in the past. We need to learn from the mistakes made in the past so that they are not repeated.”
with additional input from APP
