-Qureshi says peaceful Afghan settlement to pave way for repatriation of refugees
-Urges joint efforts to counter Islamophobia
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Sunday met with Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu wherein they exchanged views on latest developments in the Afghan peace process and withdrawal of international troops.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of Antalya Diplomacy Forum held in Antalya. Qureshi congratulated his Turkish counterpart on successfully organizing the Forum attended by high-level global leaders. He noted that the Forum provided an excellent opportunity to discuss and to engage on various contemporary global
issues. While taking stock of the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries, the two sides discussed the ongoing preparations for the 7th Session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) to be held in Turkey this year.
Foreign Minister Qureshi lauded Turkey’s valuable efforts and its outreach to various Afghan parties. Underscoring Pakistan’s abiding interest in a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Qureshi illustrated Pakistan’s consistent efforts to facilitate the Afghan peace process.
He expressed hope that the Afghan parties would seize the opportunity and workout an inclusive politically-negotiated settlement. Separately, Mr. Qureshi called for joint efforts to counter the growing tendency of Islamophobia and religious biases in different parts of the world.
The foreign minister, in an informal meeting with Secretary General of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Dr. Hadi Soleimanpour, said being a founding ECO member, Pakistan was committed to regional integration and connectivity. Held on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, the meeting discussed Pakistan’s vibrant role in ECO, promotion of trade among member countries and other matters of mutual interests.
The foreign minister said that in light of ECO framework, Pakistan was making sincere efforts to promote mutual trade, economic development and regional peace and stability. He also called for continuous cooperation to achieve durable peace, development and reconstruction in Afghanistan. The ECO secretary general appreciated Pakistan’s active role in the organization as well as Prime Minister Imran Khan’s participation in the virtually held summit in March this year.
Meanwhile, as the international community observed World Refugee Day Sunday, Pakistan reiterated its call for greater global responsibility-sharing, redoubling of efforts for durable solutions, and an early peaceful political settlement in Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in his message on the international day, said the peaceful political settlement in Afghanistan could pave the way for dignified, time-bound and well-resourced repatriation of Afghan refugees supported by the international community.
He said for over four decades, Pakistan has led by example in refugee protection and had been one of the world’s largest refugee hosting countries. Pakistan still hosts around three million Afghans providing them necessary protection, he added.
He said the people of Pakistan had demonstrated exemplary values of generosity, solidarity and compassion towards the refugees in the country, showcased in Pakistan’s inclusive policies on public health, education and livelihoods, including during the on-going COVID-19 response.
“The people of Pakistan have contributed more than their fair share of shouldering an international responsibility by hosting millions of refugees. Pakistan has also been playing a key role in facilitating sustainable peace in Afghanistan,” the foreign minister remarked.
He said this year, the Day was being observed in the backdrop of unprecedented public health and socio-economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges have exacerbated the vulnerabilities of those displaced by violence and conflicts, he added.
Qureshi said the Day served as an opportunity to take stock of the drivers of conflicts and reminds us to enhance investments in peace, conflict prevention and conflict resolution.
He said it was also an occasion to reiterate our common resolve for refugee protection, to match the generosity and share the responsibility shouldered by large refugee hosting countries.
Foreign Minister Qureshis said the pre-pandemic and COVID-compounded socio-economic and health challenges especially for developing countries that hosted millions of refugees necessitated global political and financial support to meet the needs of host communities and large refugee populations.
On this Day, he said Pakistan paid special tribute to the UNHCR for its commendable work with respect to advocacy, leadership and support to the refugees and host communities throughout the world, especially amidst the on-going pandemic.
