ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (APP): Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Saturday, said that they were mulling to allow supply of essential foodstuff for the Afghan people only on the request of the United Nations.
Addressing a presser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the DPM/FM informed that they received a request from the UN for reconsideration of permission to allow humanitarian aid for the Afghan people.
Considering the tense situation and closure of borders, he said that though there was no room for relaxation, he would take up the matter of UN’s request with the prime minister and the military leadership, expressing the hope to take positive action for the Afghan people solely.
He said that permission over essential foodstuffs might be granted in a day.
The DPM/FM candidly argued that despite all the positive steps taken by Pakistan to help the Afghan nation, no decisive steps were taken against terrorists on Afghan soil, urging the Taliban regime to reflect upon their weaknesses and fulfill its commitment made with the world.
He said their generous steps had not been reciprocated by the Taliban de-facto rulers as the terrorism emanating from the Afghan soil had resulted in shahadat of about 4,000 Pakistan’s security forces personnel since 2021 and injuries to thousands.
Reiterating in the strongest tone, the deputy prime minister/foreign minister said that it was a whim of Taliban regime that Pakistan could not do anything despite repeated terrorist attacks; Pakistan had the power and resources to take kinetic actions.
The issue was heading towards that direction, he said, adding, they received a request from the Qatari leadership for mediation as they were in constant contact with Pakistan, ‘so an operation cleanup was halted.’ Turkiye also tried to resolve the issue, he added.
He, however, hastily added that it was not desirable to conduct such operations inside the home of brothers.
Dar said Pakistan had hosted 4 million Afghan refugees on its soil for decades.
To a query, he said if the Taliban regime was looking for alternate routes for trade after borders closures, it would not affect Pakistan. “There is no price for dignity. Self-respect is priceless over which we cannot compromise,” he stressed.
The DPM/FM reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy was the only way forward, but the Taliban regime should remove its weaknesses and fulfill its commitment.
About the contribution of Pakistani troops to the proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, he said that Pakistan had made it clear that the proposal should have the recognition by the UNSC.
Pakistan had proposed changes in the US-drafted resolution in the UNSC, in consultation with eight other key countries, and eventually it was passed.
However, with regard to disarming of Hamas by the ISF, he made it clear that Pakistan like with other key countries, was not ready for that as it was the domain of the Palestinian law enforcement forces. Pakistan was ready to contribute for ISF but first, its ToRs, mandate and role should be clearly decided, till then they could not make a final decision, Malaysia also had objections over proposed ISF role to disarm Hamas, he added.
Giving a detailed briefing over Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach and his participation at the global fora, he reiterated that the country’s foreign policy contours clearly opposed the bloc politics and stressed upon promotion of multilateral and peaceful resolution of disputes.
He said Pakistan endeavoured to strengthen 57 members strong OIC and chaired UNSC sessions, its resolutions regarding vital global issues had been passed and adopted which was a matter of pride for the country.
The DPM/FM said the main objective of his recent visits was to re-engage the European Union and Nato, and due to these diplomatic engagements at the highest levels, Pakistan was now seen across the globe in a different perspective.
He credited the efforts of the incumbent government and the performance of the armed forces under the military leadership in their armed conflict with India for such global acknowledgements.
“Pakistan is becoming more and more relevant with each passing day,’ he opined.
The DPM/FM further said that his meetings with the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), during the heads of government meeting in Moscow, were very productive and fruitful.
He had presented Pakistan’s perspective on proactive economic goals, economic integration, regional connectivity, poverty alleviation, terrorism, youth employment, trade, economy, energy, infrastructure development and the use of national currency by the member countries.
Moreover, he had emphasised that stability in Afghanistan was imperative for the peace and stability of the region.
The SCO meeting adopted a joint communique and made joint decisions. President Putin also invited all the heads of delegations, including various premiers and foreign ministers of the members countries for a meeting with him, he added.
Dar further said that he reminded President Putin of an invitation to visit Pakistan, adding that during his stay, he held meetings with the prime ministers and his counterparts and discussed regional and global issues.
He also termed his bilateral meeting with the Russian leadership very productive.
“My visit to Moscow and participation in SCO HoGs meeting, reflected Pakistan’s close relations with the Eurasian and regional countries and its efforts to further strengthen it. We were reciprocated with warm responses,” he added.
The DPM/FM also termed his meetings with the EU Council member, EU High Representative, Nato secretary general and other authorities in Brussels encouraging, adding during these meetings, ‘they had discussed everything under the sun’.
Their discussions focused on GSP plus, Afghanistan, IWT, IIOJK, climate-induced challenges, terrorism and migration issues, he added.
The DPM/FM said that he had conveyed Pakistan’s consistent stance that they desired peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and had made huge efforts and sacrifices in this regard.
He told them that he visited Afghanistan and met the leadership of Taliban regime, requesting them to take tangible steps to preventing Afghan’s soil from being used by the terrorists of TTP.
He lamented that the outcome of their promises was very dismal. About 4,000 officers and jawans of Pakistan had been martyred and 20,000 others injured fighting terrorists after the year 2021.
The DPM/FM also acknowledged China’s efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan.