Concrete & timely steps required for the return of peace & stability in Afghanistan: Qureshi
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said about 437 delegates have so far got themselves registered for the 17th Extra-ordinary meeting of OIC Council of Foreign Minister (CFMs) being held today (Sunday) in Islamabad. He said the OIC moot will be important and historic.
Speaking to the media persons at the Parliament House in Islamabad on Saturday, the Foreign Minister stressed that concrete and timely steps are required for the return of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi was confident the OIC meeting will be able to build a consensus regarding Afghanistan.
The Foreign Minister said the aim of this conference was to divert the attention of the world community towards the Afghan situation, and progress is being seen on this end.
Responding to a question, the foreign minister said the visiting delegates will also meet him and Prime Minister Imran Khan on the sidelines of the OIC meeting.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said he was “very happy” that Pakistan was now receiving support for the stance it had held for long — that a humanitarian crisis could arise in Afghanistan and the country’s subsequent economic collapse would affect the entire region.
“Prime Minister Imran Khan has been constantly trying to bring the world’s attention [to Afghanistan] and I am confident that Pakistan, along with foreign ministers of other Muslim countries, will move a step forward in building that consensus.”
He noted that the world “seemed to be reaching consensus” on the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan where people were facing malnutrition and economic difficulties, adding that the war-torn country’s economy was reeling from the effects of a non-functioning banking system.
“I had mentioned yesterday that around 11 NATO commanders who had served in Afghanistan were pointing towards this (crisis). Those ambassadors, who have served in Kabul and are aware of the ground realities, are making the world aware [of the situation] and saying it is their opinion that Biden administration should review its policy to protect humanity and millions of Afghans in whom the US and the West have invested so much, for their capacity building, training and to shore up their economy.”
The foreign minister, in his press conference on Saturday, said the Afghan people were facing a new test and the world should not exhibit ignorance. A lot of voices were joining Pakistan, including from the European Union, to call for improving the situation in Afghanistan, he added.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi held up a copy of a letter that he said had been written by 39 American Congressmen and addressed to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in which they said “it is our responsibility, our moral obligation to avert a humanitarian crisis” in Afghanistan.
“I believe this new thought is the purpose of this extraordinary session of foreign ministers. It was our wish to bring the world’s attention to Afghanistan and I can see the progress.”
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said he was waiting for his guests — the visiting dignitaries — with “great anticipation”, sharing that around 437 delegates had registered themselves for the summit. A meeting would be held today to discuss the agenda and working plan for the Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting tomorrow, he said, adding: “I am confident that we will reach consensus this time and tomorrow’s session will be very important and historic.
“We are standing at a point in history where if we take the right step, there can be peace in the region [and] stability and prosperity in Afghanistan. And God forbid, we do not take timely steps and correct decisions, Afghanistan could face another crisis, and all of its neighbours will be affected. And not only them but Europe can also be affected because of the influx of economic migrants.”
The foreign minister said that Pakistan also wished for Afghan refugees in the country to be repatriated honourably but that could only happen when there was stability and opportunities for livelihood.
Earlier, the Foreign Minister reviewed the arrangements made for the OIC moot. He visited different parts of the parliament house and expressed satisfaction over the arrangements.