Pakistan Deputy PM Stresses Importance of Peace, Stability in Afghanistan
Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, emphasized the significance of peace and stability in Afghanistan during a high-level United Nations Security Council meeting chaired by China.
Speaking at the session, which focused on “Practicing Multilateralism: Reforming and Improving Global Governance,” Dar stated that Afghanistan’s stability benefits both the region and the world. Despite security concerns arising from the situation in Afghanistan, he affirmed that Islamabad will continue its cooperation and engagement with the interim Afghan government.
According to Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Islamabad supports Afghanistan’s economic and social development.
Dar added: “Despite the cross-border terrorism, Pakistan will continue its engagement with the Interim Government in Kabul, facilitate humanitarian support to the millions of destitute people in Afghanistan and support Afghanistan’s economic and social development.”
The Islamic Emirate has not yet responded to these remarks. However, it has previously stated on multiple occasions that Afghanistan’s territory is not being used against any country; rather, it is the neighboring countries’ territories that are being used against Afghanistan.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, has also previously stressed the importance of good relations with Pakistan, while pointing out that at times, the principles of good neighborliness are not upheld between the two countries.
Military affairs expert Sadiq Shinwari commented: “Pakistan must first dismantle the terrorist infrastructure and centers operating within its own territory and stop pursuing a double standard policy towards Afghanistan.”
Another military analyst, Zalmai Afghan Yar, stated: “The remarks of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister are contradictory. Afghanistan seeks an economy based on cooperation, non-interference in other nations’ affairs, and security for all, including Pakistan and the world. If there are territorial and border disputes, they should be resolved through dialogue. I hope Pakistan abandons hypocrisy and upholds the principles of mutual respect in its relations with Afghanistan.”
Previously, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had, in a meeting with representatives of Islamic countries at the UN Security Council, called for the establishment of a comprehensive framework to define engagement between Afghanistan’s interim government and the international community. He added that such a framework could outline the process for normalizing Afghanistan’s relations with the global community.
