ISLAMABAD: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday said that talks are underway for formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan and the recent statements by the Taliban are encouraging.
“The Taliban have announced a general amnesty. They are talking about protecting human rights. The Taliban said they would not allow opium cultivation. These are encouraging statements,” said Qureshi while addressing a press conference here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We believe that Afghans have paid a heavy price for decades-old (infighting) and war. We want lasting peace in Afghanistan. But the world needs to be cognizant of the ‘anti-peace spoilers’ inside and outside Afghanistan,” he warned, without elaborating further.
However, in the subsequent sentence, Qureshi hinted at India’s negative role in Afghanistan.
“You know where the silence is at the moment. We want New Delhi to give up its old thinking. The international community urges India to act responsibly,” he remarked.
Giving credence to his claim about India’s negative role in Afghanistan, Qureshi referred to Indian media’s fake news about his visit to Kabul on Sunday.
“According to Indian media, I arrived in Kabul yesterday. In fact, I was in Pakistan. Fake news is affecting India’s own reputation. Peace in Afghanistan will also benefit India,” he asserted.
About Taliban’s assurance to Pakistan over the terrorist activities of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Qureshi said that the Taliban have made it clear that they will not allow Afghan soil to be used against any country.
“The TTP has used the ground against Pakistan, so our concerns carry weight,” he maintained.
Referring to Pakistan’s efforts to further consolidate peace in Afghanistan, Qureshi said that he had contacted the US secretary of state three times in past few days.
“The (US) secretary of State has been made the focal person by the US government. We are in touch. We have good relations with the United States. We have one goal and that is peace and normalcy in Afghanistan,” said the foreign minister.
Talking about the reports of tensions building between Afghan Taliban and Ahmad Massoud, the son of former Afghan commander Ahmad Shah Masood, Qureshi said that Pakistan prayed that the situation in Panjshir Valley does not deteriorate.
“The leadership on both sides must act responsibly. The internal strife is not in the interest of Afghans. The statements from both sides appear to be positive. The dialogue between the two sides is going on. The Afghan people must know that Pakistan wants their betterment,” said the minister.
Qureshi said that Pakistan wants the international community to maintain its ties with Afghanistan. “The connections are already there, but we need their continuity,” he said. He also said that an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) Executive Committee on Afghanistan was convened in Jeddah on Sunday.
“Today I spoke with the Saudi foreign minister who spoke about the transfer of his diplomatic staff from Kabul to Pakistan. Pakistan is providing all possible assistance for the evacuation of diplomatic staff, officials of international organizations and media representatives awaiting their return to Kabul,” he said.
Qureshi said that Pakistani efforts are being widely appreciated.
“Our embassy in Kabul is constantly helping people. Our embassy is issuing visas while we are also providing visa on arrival in Pakistan. We have set up an evacuation operation cell which has been operational since August 16. The cell includes representatives of all concerned agencies including Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, FIA, Islamabad Police,” he added.
The minister said that a Crisis Management Unit has been set up in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which is working day-and-night.
“Pakistan has safely evacuated 3,234 people from different countries from Kabul. 333 of whom were Pakistani nationals. I’m glad our efforts are being appreciated by the world. Only a few embassies are working in Kabul. According to my information, five embassies including Pakistan are functional in Kabul,” he said.
Qureshi said that a number of foreign ministers have spoken to him in the past few days.
“We have unanimity of views on most of the issues. Tomorrow I am leaving for Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran. I have had already held a detailed discussion with the Chinese Foreign Minister. The purpose of my visit is to develop a common strategy to address the current situation in Afghanistan and the challenges it faces,” he said.
The minister said that the issues include challenges such as the coronavirus situation, border security, and the arrival of refugees.
“They will also be consulted to promote regional ties. Peace in Afghanistan is a shared responsibility. So, we want a consensus strategy adopted after consultation,” he concluded.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Pakistan was facilitating the evacuation of foreign nationals stranded in Afghanistan on a humanitarian basis despite facing difficulties on the ground.
Speaking to a news channel, the foreign minister said that he had discussed the matter with foreign ministers of the European governments and they all had expressed their gratitude over the cooperation extended by Islamabad in facilitating the safe evacuation of their people.
“We are cooperating in the entire process of evacuation on a humanitarian basis,” he said, adding Pakistan did not seek praise as “our conscience was satisfied”.
Last week, amid unrest in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover of the country, Pakistan had informed the diplomatic community in Islamabad about its efforts in aiding the evacuation of international community members from the war-torn nation.
Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood briefed the Diplomatic Corps in Islamabad on the facilitation of evacuation, informing them of the arrangements made by Pakistan to enable evacuation of diplomats and staff, INGOs, media, and representatives of international organisations, and others from Afghanistan.
Qureshi said that the inflow of thousands of people at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul has overburdened the authorities.
“The landing and take-off operations at Kabul airport are not in our control and we need cooperation from the local administration in this regard,” the foreign minister said.
He said Islamabad would strive to facilitate the people of Afghanistan at the international level. “The credibility of Taliban will certainly improve if they pardon their opponents,” Qureshi said.
self assumed spokesman of Taliban just recuperating from as he was shewed away by Taliban Council not to land before their permission…his empty planes have brought some dummies?…
Can anyone find any Muslim among the Taliban? If the Taliban were Muslims, why would people try to run away from them?
When Muslims appeared in Arabia 1400 years ago, most of the Arabs had the most wild and weird habits and practices. Killing each other and warring among each other was the order of the day.
The appearance of Muslims revolutionised everything in Arabia. Enemies became friends, heart-warming, heart winning habits prevailed. Non-Muslims started getting attracted to Muslims. No one would want to run away from those Arab Muslims. Rather instead people would like the company of Muslims and when influenced by their lovely behaviour, would become Muslims. Absolutely certainly, not the way we see people trying to run away from the Taliban.
Did anyone calling him/herself Muslim hear the Almighty commanding them to organise their Jumeeyah? Jumeeyah in the localities where they live? Here is what the Almighty commanded “Wahtusaymoo bay hublillahay Jumeeyah. ”
Do we see Muslims obeying the Almighty anywhere? No sign of it? Why do people endure slavery and the kind of harassment we see the Afghans suffering from today? The reason is their disobedience to what the Almighty commanded them to do for their total benefit. Organising Jumeeyah is the only way people can become responsible citizens and enable themselves to remain free from the slavery of anyone. The slavery people endure throughout the world.