Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday stressed that prevention of the humanitarian crisis and economic slowdown in Afghanistan are key priorities in view of the recent developments in the country. Taliban capture Kabul and the formation of an interim government.
Qureshi was addressing a virtual meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbors China, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to discuss developments in the war-ravaged country. This meeting is taking place a day after the Taliban interim government announcement.
“Given the recent developments in the country, the key priorities are to prevent a humanitarian crisis that could add to the suffering of Afghans. Equally important is that steps are taken to prevent it. [an] Economic slowdown in the country.
“If the humanitarian crisis is prevented and economic stability is ensured, peace can be strengthened and mass migration can be prevented,” Qureshi said.
He stressed that efforts are needed to increase the involvement of the international community at this “critical juncture”.
“The renewed diplomatic and international presence in the country will reassure the Afghan people,” he said.
Qureshi said the United Nations and its various agencies are playing a major role with the immediate provision of humanitarian aid, which will strengthen the confidence building process. The foreign minister said Afghanistan’s access to its financial resources would be “critical” in preventing economic collapse and reviving economic activity.
FM Qureshi said the recent events have brought the region into the global spotlight, adding that “how the situation will develop will have profound implications for Afghanistan, our region and the world at large”.
“It is clear that no one could have imagined the recent turn of events from the collapse of the security forces to the fall of the government of Afghanistan.
“All previous assessments and predictions turned out to be wrong,” he said.
Qureshi said there had not been “very terrible bloodshed”, a protracted conflict and civil war had also been averted, a mass exodus of refugees had not yet taken place and the situation remained “complex and fluid”.
“We are all grappling with a changed reality in Afghanistan,” he said, noting the formation of a caretaker Afghan setup and expressed hope for political stabilization that would lead to normalcy.
“The new situation requires discarding old lenses, developing new insights and moving forward with a realistic and practical approach. At the center of our efforts should be the well-being of the Afghan people, who endured more than 40 years of conflict and instability. Due to heavy loss.”
Results of the Regional Diplomacy Tour
Referring to his diplomatic visit to Central Asian states and Iran last month, the External Affairs Minister said that he had detailed discussions during the visit. “We have agreed on a way forward that will help address common challenges and realize the opportunities created by the latest developments,” he said.
He said the consultations highlighted the following issues that would require a coordinated approach as the situation in Afghanistan developed:
- security situation at the border
- Preventing Afghanistan’s land from being used by terrorist organizations
- A new influx of refugees likely
- Includes drug trafficking and transnational crime
- stop the spread of extremist elements
- Challenges related to the Covid-19 pandemic
- barriers to regional connectivity
“We also agree that there are rich dividends if peace in Afghanistan is secure,” he said, pointing to secure borders, an end to terrorist threats from Afghan soil, the return of refugees, economic stability, life. . Improvement in standards, realization of connectivity projects and increased regional economic integration.
Qureshi stressed that Afghanistan must be able to “get through this testing time and realize its full potential” in order to pursue a common vision of a “peaceful, stable, prosperous and interconnected region”.
He pointed out that there were several key principles guiding efforts in this direction:
- Reaffirm full support and solidarity with the Afghan people
- Reaffirm Afghanistan’s full commitment to unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity
- Emphasize that there must be an Afghan solution to Afghan issues
- Make it clear that the soil of Afghanistan will not be allowed to be used against any country.
- Underline the multi-ethnic nature of Afghan society
- emphasize the importance of national reconciliation
The External Affairs Minister suggested converting the forum of neighboring countries into a regular consultation mechanism in which Afghanistan should also be invited in future.
“Afghanistan’s participation will enhance the effectiveness of this forum in advancing our shared objectives for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
“Neighboring countries have a direct stake in the stability of Afghanistan. Our collective voice to the international community will strengthen our message of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan with us and our neighbors.
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