DUSHANBE – Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has reiterated Pakistan’scontinued support for a peaceful, stable, united, democratic, sovereign andprosperous Afghanistan. Addressing the 9th Ministerial Conference of theHeart of Asia-Istanbul Process, in Dushanbe on Tuesday, he said that Afghanpeople have a historic opportunity for establishing peace in their country.
He said that the deliberations at the conference will be meaningful andproductive and the Dushanbe declaration will reflect our resolve to supportand stand by the Afghan people at this most consequential time in theirhistory. Expressing concern over the violence in Afghanistan, he said thatprecious lives are being lost due to violent incidents in the country. Hesaid that Pakistan played a vital role for continuing the Afghan PeaceProcess. He said that Pakistan consistently urged the Afghan people toremain constructively engaged for securing a positive outcome.
He urged the Afghan people to take the process forward through good faith,substantive and result-oriented negotiation. Highlighting Pakistan’scontribution towards Afghanistan’s development, Shah Mahmood Qureshi saidthat besides facilitating the peace process Pakistan has been extending allpossible support to Afghanistan.
He said that Pakistan has committed One billion US dollars forAfghanistan’s development and reconstruction out of which nearly $ 500million have already been spent on infrastructure and capacity buildingprojects. He said that a new visa regime has been instituted to facilitatetravel. Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that besides COVID-19 Pakistan has openedfive border crossing points with Afghanistan to facilitate bilateral andtransit trade.
He said that Pakistan is committed to move forward on regional connectivityand energy projects such as CASA 100 and TAPI. Mentioning the negative roleof spoilers in the Afghan peace process, the Foreign Minister said thatPakistan has consistently cautioned against the role of the spoilers bothwithin and outside Afghanistan. He said that we remain deeply concernedabout the continuation of firings across Afghanistan resulting in loss ofprecious lives.
He said that any space gained by ISIS and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan willaccentuate the threat of terrorism. Expressing concern over the risk posedby the damaged infrastructure in the war torn country and lack of theeconomic opportunities, he said that these factors will undermine the gainsmade in the peace process.
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He said that the signing of the Doha Agreement was a moment of hope andoptimism and it must be our collective endeavor to ensure that this hope isnot lost. For this, everyone will have to show every bit of patience,commitment and perseverance, adding that the constructive engagement andconsultation on all key aspects is imperative. Foreign Minister said thatflexibility and spirit of compromise would be indispensible.
He suggested that the progress made on the Doha Process should beconsolidated preserving the international community’s adjustment and thedevelopment gains made over the years, ensuring an orderly and responsiblewithdrawal making sure that reduction in violence and ceasefire is achievedat the earliest, culminating the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process into apolitical solution, securing the international community’s financialengagement to support Afghanistan in its post-conflict path to progress.
He said that the process should also include the long-term reconstructionand economic development for Afghanistan creating pull factors for theAfghan refugees to return to their homeland with dignity and honour througha time bound and well-resourced plan. Expressing pleasure overparticipation in the conference, Foreign Minister felicitated the Tajikgovernment for convening the conference amid the Covid pandemic.
