ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan has once again urged the Afghan government to refrain from the blame game and engage with Islamabad for perpetual regional peace and stability.
In a statement on Saturday, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said that Pakistan has closely followed discussion at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the situation in Afghanistan, and it’s a matter of deep regret that, as the closest neighbour of Afghanistan whose contribution in the ongoing peace process has been recognized by the international community, Pakistan’s request to the President of the Security Council to address the Council’s session and present its perspective on the Afghan peace process and the way forward was not acceded to.
On the other hand, the Council’s platform was made available to enable the peddling of a false narrative against Pakistan, he added.
The Spokesperson said that in his statement at the UN Security Council, Afghanistan’s representative propagated disinformation and leveled baseless allegations against Pakistan with a view to mislead the international community.
“Pakistan categorically rejects these accusations,” Chaudhri said. “Pakistan’s position on the issue has been shared with Security Council members.”
Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said that Pakistan has repeatedly shared its perspective on peace and stability in clear and unambiguous terms with the international community.
The Foreign Office Spokesperson said that we emphatically reiterate that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and that a negotiated political settlement is the only way forward for durable peace and security in the Country.
Towards that end, Pakistan’s constructive efforts with the support of the international community led to achieving important milestones in the Doha peace process including the US-Taliban Peace Agreement and the subsequent commencement of Intra-Afghan Negotiations.
The Spokesperson said that as the US and NATO forces are near completion of their withdrawal from Afghanistan, we are seriously concerned at the growing violence in Afghanistan and lack of substantive progress in the Intra-Afghan Negotiations.
Expressing deep concern at the reports of human rights violations, he added, we urge all sides to ensure full respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.
“Pakistan calls upon all warring sides in Afghanistan to eschew the military approach, engage constructively in negotiations, and work together to secure an inclusive, broad-based, and comprehensive political settlement,” Chaudhri said.
The Spokesperson said that it is equally important to remain cognisant of spoilers, both within and outside, who do not wish to see the return of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.
“We also urge the government of Afghanistan, once again, to refrain from the blame game and engage with Pakistan in a meaningful manner to address the challenges to peace, security, and progress in the region,” he added.
Chaudhri said that in this regard, we reiterate the need for effective use of bilateral institutional arrangements such as the Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).
