In the aftermath of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, Federal Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar has encouraged the international community to engage rather than isolate the country.
Umar stressed in a brief message on Twitter on war-torn Afghanistan that the world must not make the same error it did when the Soviet Union left.
The world must not repeat the mistake it made after the soviet withdrawal . This is the time for the global community to engage and not isolate Afghanistan. A fraction of the money spent on the war in Afghanistan, spent honestly on development can enhance global security.
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) August 28, 2021
“This is the time for the global community to engage and not isolate Afghanistan,” Umar wrote, ending the message by saying that a fraction of the money spent on the war in Afghanistan, spent honestly on development can enhance global security.
Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, spoke to Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi over the phone on Saturday to discuss the evolving situation in war-torn Afghanistan.
The two leaders discussed the present situation in Afghanistan and measures to promote peace and stability in the country, according to a statement released by the Foreign Office.
Islamabad, according to FM Qureshi, will continue to play a constructive role in Afghanistan’s efforts to promote peace and stability.
He praised the UN’s efforts to address Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis and emphasized the need for the international community to be involved in Afghanistan, particularly by helping the Afghan people’s socioeconomic and humanitarian needs.
The UN chief thanked Pakistan for its support in enabling UN agencies’ operations and humanitarian missions in Afghanistan. In this respect, he sought Pakistan’s continued support.
The foreign minister promised the UN head that the UN will get all possible support in carrying out its mission.
He highlighted Pakistan’s support to the international community in the evacuation and relocation efforts. Pakistan will continue to help the UN in whatever manner it can, according to FM Qureshi.
FM Qureshi and UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs spoke about the Afghan situation.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi received a call from Dominic Raab, the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs.
During the telephonic discussion, topics of mutual interest, the current events in Afghanistan, and other topics were addressed.
FM Qureshi strongly condemned the terrorist attack near the Kabul airport, which claimed so many valuable lives, and said Pakistan was carefully monitoring the situation in the country.
He emphasized the need for safeguarding, security, and stability of all Afghans, as well as the protection of human rights. The best path ahead, according to the foreign minister, was for a political settlement to be inclusive.
FM Qureshi said that Pakistan was in contact with regional and international partners, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace. He underlined the critical importance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan for Pakistan and the region in this context.
