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ISLAMABAD – The regional powers including Pakistan have vowed to stabilise Afghanistan.
In a joint statement on the results of the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Russia, China, Pakistan and Iran on the Margins of the SCO and CSTO Summits in Dushanbe, the four influential countries agreed to work for peace in the region.
On September 16, 2021, the Foreign Ministers of these four nations met on the margins of the SCO and CSTO summits in Dushanbe to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
The Ministers reaffirmed their intention to promote peace, security and stability in Afghanistan and in the region as a whole.
The ministers emphasized that the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan should be respected, the basic principle of “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned” should be implemented, and the rights to pursue peace, stability, development and prosperity by the Afghan people should be maintained.
They stressed the importance of engaging with those states, which should bear primary responsibility for post-conflict socio-economic reconstruction in Afghanistan, and should provide Afghanistan with urgently needed economic, livelihood and humanitarian assistance.
They noted the need to conclude national reconciliation in Afghanistan, resulting in an inclusive government that takes into account the interests of all ethno-political forces of the country.
Given the security challenges emanating from the territory of Afghanistan, they stressed the need to coordinate efforts to counter threats, especially the spread of terrorism and drug trafficking, in order to ensure regional stability and address legitimate concerns and interests of neighbouring states.
The ministers expressed their concern over the precarious humanitarian and socio-economic situation in Afghanistan, as well as the risks of a possible refugee influx in the region.
They stressed the need for restoring peaceful life and economic recovery of the country, and called on the international community to continue providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan on an urgent basis.
The ministers decided to continue coordination between Russia, China, Pakistan and Iran on Afghanistan and hold meetings at the ministerial, special envoy and the ambassadorial levels in due course.
Pakistan has been leading the efforts for peace in Afghanistan for the last many years. Islamabad played a major role to bring the Taliban and the US in the talks table.
Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmed said that sustained, constructive engagement of the international community was imperative to avoid a humanitarian crisis and help ensure durable peace and stability in Afghanistan. Well-being of the Afghan people should be the foremost priority.
In Afghanistan, he said, Pakistan continued to follow the situation closely. “On the humanitarian side, Pakistan has led the way, having sent already 4 planes containing relief goods and medical supplies for the people of Afghanistan. We also welcome the high-level meeting convened by the UN in Geneva earlier this week to mobilize urgent humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi represented Pakistan,” he said.
Pakistan remains actively engaged with the international community and continues to consult our friends and partners, he added.