ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has assured the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons of Pakistan’s support to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in promoting the shared objective of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan.
In a meeting with the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons in Islamabad on Monday, the foreign minister appreciated the UNAMA’s role in supporting Afghanistan’s socio-economic development as per its mandate.
Qureshi highlighted Pakistan’s facilitative role in the Afghan peace process, which has been acknowledged by the international community.
The foreign minister said that Pakistan is keen to see the peace process move forward which would help in reduction in violence and deny space to ‘spoilers’ who do not wish to see a return of peace and stability in the region.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi reiterated that the vision of economic prosperity and regional connectivity could not be realized without a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.
The minister also highlighted the range of steps taken by Pakistan to support Afghanistan in transit trade and movement of people despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment for safe and dignified return of Afghan refugees to their homeland, the foreign minister urged the UNAMA to play an active role in helping with time-bound and well-resourced refugee return and their sustainable reintegration in the Afghan society.
