Global engagement with Taliban needed for peace
PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan on Thursday underlined the imperative of engagement with the Taliban government to avert a civil war in Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi argued a positive engagement with the Taliban was needed to avert Afghanistan’s economic collapse.
Addressing the opening session of the 9th meeting of Troika Plus in Islamabad, he pleaded with the global fraternity not to repeat mistakes of the past.
The state-run APP news agency quoted the foreign minister as saying: “Everyone wants terrorist elements operating inside Afghanistan to be tackled effectively and we all want to prevent a new refugee crisis.”
Special representatives for Afghanistan from China, Pakistan, Russia and the US and an Afghan government delegation are taking part in the meeting.
The meeting reflected the common desire of the group to see a peaceful, stable, unified, sovereign and prosperous Afghanistan, he remarked.
Qureshi hoped that Troika Plus engagement with the new Afghan government would help promote peace, sustainable economic development and constrict space for terrorist outfits in that country.
Afghanistan was teetering at the brink of an economic collapse as international funding had dried up, he said, adding it had become difficult for Kabul to pay even salaries, much less launch development projects.
He continued: “It is, therefore, imperative for the international community to buttress provision of humanitarian assistance on an urgent basis.”
Unfreezing of Afghanistan’s frozen funds would help regenerate economic activities and move its economy towards stability and sustainability, the minister believed.
Being an immediate neighbour, Pakistan had a direct stakes in Afghanistan’s peace and stability, Qureshi told the participants.
“Located next door, we have borne the brunt of four decades of conflict and instability in the shape of refugees, drugs and terrorism. We see the current situation as an opportunity to end the prolonged conflict”.
Qureshi opined the Taliban were interested in engagement, as they sought international recognition and support.
He went on to reaffirm Prime Minister Imran Khan’s resolve to help Afghanistan on its path towards peace, progress and prosperity.
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