Pakistan seeks continued international engagement with Afghanistan

Pakistan has called for the international community’s continued engagement with Afghanistan in the backdrop of Monday’s UN Security Council resolution so as to prevent the “spoilers” from disrupting prospects for peace and stability in the war-torn country.

“Pakistan is working closely with the regional countries as well as members of the international community for achieving lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan,” a spokesperson of the Pakistan Mission to the UN said Tuesday.

The resolution that the 15-member Council adopted on Monday called on the Taliban to allow safe passage for those seeking to leave Afghanistan, and not allow the Afghan territory to be used to threaten or attack any nation or shelter terrorists.

Thirteen Council members voted in favour of the resolution, which demands access to the country for humanitarians and upholding of human rights, including for women and children.

China and Russia, two of the Council’s permanent members, abstained on the resolution, which was drafted by the United States, Britain and France.

Commenting on the resolution, the spokesperson said Pakistan has been calling on the international community to stay engaged with all relevant parties and to respond to the current situation in a “careful and a calibrated manner”, taking into account the prevailing ground realities in Afghanistan.

“We believe that continued constructive engagement of the international community is vital towards ensuring the success of ongoing efforts for achieving an inclusive political set-up; seeking continued cooperation in the process of evacuation; as well as addressing the human rights and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.”

The initial draft of the UNSC draft resolution did not enjoy consensus, it was pointed out. Both in Islamabad as well as through the Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Munir Akram, Pakistan closely engaged with the members of the Security Council in making the text more balanced and constructive. – APP