Islamabad: Pakistan has urged for “early and smooth transition of power in Afghanistan” and stressed all Afghan sides to engage for an “inclusive political settlement”, the foreign office spokesperson said.
Pakistan has decided against unilaterally recognising the Taliban and will announce its decision after consultation with key regional countries. “Pakistan would take a decision about recognising Taliban government in consultation with regional and international powers, especially China, Turkey and the United States,” minister for information Fawad Chaudhry clarified.
Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is expected to soon visit regional countries including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Iran for consultations on the evolving situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover.
During a recent meeting with the delegation of high-level Afghan leaders representing different ethnic groups and political parties, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that a huge responsibility now rested on the Afghan leaders to work constructively together to lead Afghanistan on the path of sustainable peace, stability and development. He stressed the importance of all sides working to secure an inclusive political solution.
Pakistan’s prime minister has held phone conversations with the leaders of Germany, Turkey, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Denmark while the foreign minister spoke to his counterparts from the US, UK, China, Denmark, Belgium and the Republic of Korea to discuss the rapidly unfolding situation in Afghanistan and the way forward.
“We are in contact with the international community on this issue… We also remain engaged with the Afghan sides. Pakistan’s Ambassador in Kabul met the Taliban leaders, former President Hamid Karzai, Dr Abdullah Abdullah and others,” said Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri on Friday.
Pakistan is also involved in evacuation missions and has successfully evacuated more than 1,400 people, mostly foreigners and Afghan nationals working with the diplomatic missions and international organisations, since August 14.
“Being the immediate neighbour of Afghanistan, sharing 2,600km long border and hosting over 4 million Afghan refugees, we have an abiding interest and desire for peace and stability in Afghanistan,” the spokesperson said. Pakistan has consistently underscored the need for a political solution and supported every effort for peace in Afghanistan, he said. “We have remained part of all mechanisms, regional and international, aimed at bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan.”
Pakistan is committed to peace and development in Afghanistan, the official said. “We have committed over US$ 1 billion for projects in health, education and infrastructure in Afghanistan.” More than 50,000 Afghans received education in Pakistan of which 6000 received fully funded scholarships.
The Taliban’s commitment to respect the rights of Afghans including women, right to education and affirmation that no one will be harmed from Afghan soil, are “positive indications” he said. Responding to a question on the use of Afghan soul by TTP for terror attacks in Pakistan, Chaudhri said: Pakistan will “ensure that the TTP is not provided any space in Afghanistan to operate against Pakistan.” TTP is a terrorist organization proscribed by Pakistan and the United Nations.
Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed the hope that “Taliban will live up to the promises made to the international community of women and human rights and that Afghan soil will not be used against any other country.” Despite its economic troubles, Pakistan had sheltered millions of Afghan refugees for four decades. “We will continue to play our role for peace and stability in Afghanistan,” he said, urging the international community to play its role in finding a peaceful solution to Afghanistan.
