ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has urged the world community to play its role for the welfare and economic assistance of Afghans.
In a telephonic conversation with his Danish counterpart, Jeppe Kofod, he said it is important to ensure the security and rights of the Afghan people in the present circumstances.
Qureshi noted that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is important not only for Pakistan but also the entire region. The foreign minister said that Pakistan is extending full facilitation to the Danish government in evacuation of their citizens.
The Danish foreign minister appreciated Pakistan’s assistance for the evacuation of Danish citizens from Afghanistan saying, “We are grateful to Pakistani leadership in this regard.”
Meanwhile, Qureshi received a telephone call from the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea Chung Eui-yong. The two foreign ministers discussed the current situation in Afghanistan. While sharing Pakistan’s perspective, the foreign minister said that the situation has changed significantly within a short span of time.
The foreign minister added that in the prevailing circumstances, it was extremely important to ensure safety and security of the Afghan people and protection of the rights of all Afghans.
He emphasised the importance of inclusive political settlement as the best way forward. Qureshi added that it was equally important for the international community to remain engaged in support of the Afghan people. Along with requisite humanitarian assistance, it would be essential to maintain economic engagement.
The foreign minister said that Pakistan would remain engaged with the Republic of Korea and other international partners in promoting efforts for peaceful and stable Afghanistan. He also assured that Pakistan will extend every possible assistance to the Korean side in evacuation of their diplomatic staff and other nationals from Afghanistan.
In the bilateral context, the foreign minister said that Pakistan highly values its relationship with the Republic of Korea, having several strands of collaboration including political, economic and cultural. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to take the bilateral relationship to a new level. While expressing satisfaction on the current level of engagement, the two foreign ministers agreed upon the need of enhancing the high-level engagements between the two countries. Noting the increasing economic linkages between the two countries, the Korean Foreign Minister welcomed the investment in a manufacturing facility in Pakistan by the Korean cell phone manufacturer, Samsung Group.
Acknowledging Pakistan’s role as one of the largest contributors to the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, the Korean foreign minister invited Qureshi to chair one of the sessions of the 2021 Peacekeeping Ministerial to be hosted by the Republic of Korea in December.
The two foreign ministers agreed to remain in close contact to enhance and promote shared objectives.
Separately, Qureshi on Friday urged Afghan leaders to sit together and work out a future political structure for Afghanistan that included all “stakeholders,” saying the world was eager to see the Taliban fulfill its promises.
The insurgent group, which gained control of Afghanistan after capturing Kabul last week, has been holding talks with different Afghan leaders with what it says is the aim of forming an inclusive Islamic government in Afghanistan. The Taliban have said they want peace and will not take revenge upon past enemies. They have also promised free media and rights for women within an Islamic framework.
A delegation of senior Afghan politicians from different ethnicities is currently visiting Pakistan for talks about the future political setup of their country. The delegates told Pakistani journalists on Thursday they were against a single-party system in Afghanistan, shortly after the Taliban announced the creation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
“Everyone wants peace and stability in Afghanistan, no one wants bloodshed,” Qureshi said in a statement, conveying Pakistan’s stance on the Afghan issue. “Everyone wants that the Afghan Taliban and former rulers sit together and shape such a structure that would include all stake-holders.” He said any future political structure should be acceptable to all.
Pakistan was in favour of a peaceful withdrawal of US and allied forces from Afghanistan and was determined to play its role in this regard, the foreign minister said. “Our ambassador to Kabul is having contacts with different figures, while the Afghan delegation visiting Pakistan shared its views with me and the prime minister,” he said. “Everyone wishes for peace.”
He added: “The world wishes to see whether the Taliban are acting on what they are telling it.” He said he would visit neighbouring states in the next few days in order to formulate a comprehensive strategy on Afghanistan. “One must learn from the past mistakes,” Qureshi urged. “We would not want mistakes of the 90’s to be repeated.”
