-Tells SCO its time to acknowledge Afghanistan’s new reality
-Updates members States about shifting Pakistan’s foreign policy from geopolitics to geo-economics
-Pakistan, Tajikiostan sign agreements, MOUs for cooperation in diverse fields
DM Monitoring
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that the Taliban must fulfil the promises they have made in Afghanistan, and called on the international community to stand with the people of the war-torn country.
The premier expressed these views while addressing the 20th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Heads of State (SCO-CHS) Summit in Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf and Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry were also present alongside the premier. “The Taliban must fulfil the pledges made, above all for an inclusive political structure where all ethnic groups are represented. This is vital for Afghanistan’s stability,” he said. The prime minister said that it was also important to ensure respect for the rights of all Afghans while ensuring that it is never again a safe haven for terrorists.
He said that Pakistan, which had suffered due to the spillover of conflict and instability in the neighbouring country, had an interest in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. “We will continue to support a stable, sovereign and prosperous Afghanistan,” he said. Commenting on the situation in Afghanistan, PM Imran said that a “new reality” had been established after the Taliban takeover and withdrawal of foreign troops.
“That all this happened without bloodshed, without civil war, and without a mass exodus of refugees, should be a matter of relief. “It is now in the international community’s collective interest to ensure that there is no renewed conflict in Afghanistan and the security situation is stabilised.” “We must remember that the previous government depended heavily on foreign aid and its removal could lead to economic collapse,” he said, adding that now was the moment to stand with the Afghans “firmly and unequivocally”. He commended the United Nations secretary general and UN agencies for mobilising support for humanitarian assistance, and said that Pakistan was also playing its part in aiding evacuation efforts and providing support.
“Going forward, we believe positive engagement of the international community with Afghanistan is extremely important. “There is a rare opportunity to finally end the 40 years of war in Afghanistan. This moment should not be squandered,” he said.
He said that it would be unwise to spread negativity or indulge in propaganda at this critical juncture. “This will only serve to undermine the prospects for peace.” PM Imran said that as the world marked the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in the US, it was reminded that threats posed by terrorism still persist despite the international community’s best efforts.
“Associating one religion with terrorism has enabled far right, populist and supremacist groups around the world to propagate, multiply and accumulate influence. “In some cases, such extremist and bigoted ideologies have ascended to capture the state power in so-called democracies. ones of conflict, no other country has suffered more than Pakistan. We have suffered over 80,000 casualties and economic losses in excess of $150 billion. “Yet, our resolve remains strong. We will continue to be a reliable and willing partner of the international community in the fight against terrorism and extremism,” he said.
PM Imran said that addressing threats to international and regional peace was a topic of vital interest for the SCO. “We believe that implementation of the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions for the peaceful settlement of outstanding disputes is a necessary condition for peace, and indispensible for creating an environment of cooperation.
“Unilateral and illegal measures to change the status of disputed territories in violation of UNSC resolutions run counter to this objective.” He said that such measures must be condemned and opposed firmly.
He said that Pakistan offered the shortest route to the sea for many of its partners in Central Asia, and commended the Uzbekistan president for hosting a conference on regional connectivity in Tashkent last July.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and Tajikistan Friday signed various agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) for cooperation in diverse areas including trade, investment, banking, tourism, information and broadcasting etc. Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Emomali Rahmon witnessed the signing of documents at a ceremony held here at Qasr-e-Millat after holding one-on-one meeting and delegation level talks. Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Advisor to PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawiood and Pakistan’s Ambassador in Dushanbe Imran Haider and their counterparts from Tajikistan signed the documents on behalf of their respective countries.
Following is the detail of agreements and MOUs:
1) MOU of Mutual Cooperation for Archives and Libraries Development between the Government of Pakistan and Tajikistan.
2) Protocol to Amend the Existing Convention between Pakistan and Tajikistan for Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income.
3) MOU for Cooperation in Industrial Property between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and IPO of Pakistan.
4) MOU between Financial Monitoring Department under the National Bank of Tajikistan and Financial Monitoring Unit of Pakistan concerning cooperation in the exchange of financial intelligence related to money laundering-related predicate offences and financing of terrorism.
5) MOU between the National Bank of Tajikistan and State Bank of Pakistan on Supervisory Cooperation.
6) MOU on Cooperation between the National Information Agency of Tajikistan “Khovar” and the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).
7) MOU between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for Cooperation in the Sphere of Tourism, Hospitality and Investment in the Tourism Sector.
8) Action Plan for the year 2022 on the Implementation of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Cooperation in the field of Physical Training and Sports.
