ASHGABAT, Dec 12 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the peaceful settlement of global disputes, while urging the international community to press the Afghan Taliban to honour their international obligations and curb terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil.

“Peaceful resolution of disputes is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign diplomacy. It is in the same spirit that Pakistan supported the Gaza Peace Plan and its subsequent endorsement by the UN Security Council,” the prime minister said in his address to the international forum held in connection with the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025, the International Day of Neutrality, and the anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.

The prime minister pointed out that Pakistan began the year by assuming its place as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, where the country was striving to uphold global peace and security.

“While we persevere in this quest for peace, the scourge of terrorism is, however, raising its head yet again, and this time, unfortunately, Afghan soil,” he said urging the international community to press the Afghan Taliban regime to fulfill its international obligations and commitments and rein in terrorist elements operating from its territory.

Meanwhile, he expressed gratitude to the brotherly countries- Qatar, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iran- for their sincere desire and efforts to achieve permanent ceasefire, “which, as I speak, is still very fragile”.

He said the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2788 earlier this year was a strong endorsement of Pakistan’s vision for the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The prime minister hoped that as part of the group of eight Arab Islamic countries, the ongoing peace efforts in the Middle East will ultimately protect and save the lives of innocent Palestinians, ensuring a lasting and permanent ceasefire, allow the flow of critical humanitarian aid, and help in the reconstruction of Gaza.

He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to support all efforts aimed at upholding the inalienable right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, as well as for the brave and resilient Kashmiri people.

The prime minster noted that the pursuit of lasting peace was intrinsically linked to the path of sustainable development. In this regard, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development presents a universal blueprint for a better and peaceful world. Socioeconomic development and the welfare of our people are my government’s foremost priority.

“We have made significant strides in several key areas, including by advancing financial inclusion, bringing women and the marginalized into the economic mainstream,” he said adding that in the face of global warming, Pakistan had demonstrated its strong commitment to undertake cleaner and greener solutions, transforming our landscape and setting a global example in ecosystem restoration. “However, like many developing nations, our quest for sustainable development is facing the headwinds of climate-induced disasters and inequities in international economic relations.”

PM Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan had suffered in 2023 devastating floods, faced human life losses and economic losses, and then again this year it faced catastrophic situations because of climate change devastations.

The prime minister added that climate change, poverty and inequality were not isolated challenges. These are transnational threats that demand international solutions built on the foundation of shared responsibility and unity of purpose.

“Access to advanced technologies, especially digital technologies, must also be equitable and without any kind of discrimination,” he added.

He also appealed the global leaders to let this forum serve as a genuine call to action and urgent action for a new paradigm of international relations, where we move from zero-sum mindsets to purposeful cooperation.

“Let us invest in connectivity, not just as conduits for transportation of goods, but as bridges for people, ideas and prosperity.”

Earlier, the prime minister felicitated the leadership of Turkmenistan on the 30th anniversary of its permanent neutrality and on the success of its initiative for designation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust by the United Nations.