UNITED NATIONS – Pakistan has called for a diplomatic surge in the peaceprocess in Afghanistan, reminding the world community that Prime MinisterImran Khan had long advocated a political settlement to end the brutal war.
Speaking in the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Ambassador Maleeha Lodhipointed to international consensus around the notion that a negotiatedsettlement was the only way forward and to the willingness of theAfghanistan Government to pursue such a settlement was a positive stepforward.
The decision by the United States to engage in direct talks with theTaliban was another positive development, she said, adding that Pakistanwill support those talks.
“For close to two decades, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan hasrepeatedly declared that the war in Afghanistan can be brought to an endonly through a negotiated political settlement,” the Pakistani envoy toldthe 193-member Assembly during a debate on the situation in Afghanistan.
“We are gratified that this is now the universal position,” AmbassadorLodhi said while pointing out that violence in Afghanistan had escalatedsharply.
“Sustainable peace requires an endorsement of all regional partners,” shesaid, referring to the efforts being made by Russia, China, and otherregional states to promote engagement and dialogue with and among theAfghan parties.
“It is but obvious that the people of Afghanistan desperately desire peaceand an end to this long war,” the Pakistani envoy said while calling forbuilding on this palpable desire for peace and an end to the nightmare ofwar.
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“The challenge that lies ahead is translating this sentiment and recentdevelopments into a serious and sustained peace process,” she said, adding,“A diplomatic surge is needed to seize this opportunity.”
“While the onus for seizing this opportunity rests on the parties directlyinvolved in the Afghan conflict, Pakistan, for its part, will do what itcan to support all efforts to launch a sustained peace process.”
In her remarks, Ambassador Lodhi also said the people of Afghanistan haveexperienced violence and turmoil that undermines national and internationalpeace and security.
Citing independent reports, she said the areas under Taliban control orinfluence have enlarged further. Civilian and military casualties havemounted, caused by insurgent attacks and coalition air strikes.
But she said the global community had remained steadfast in its support forthe Afghan people; Pakistan too had suffered from the situation inAfghanistan.
