Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Asks for International Community’s Engagement with Afghanistan

 

"The international community must continue to provide support and assistance to avert any potential humanitarian disaster and help build a sustainable economy for the long-term development of Afghanistan,” he said.

 

Zardari added that “simultaneously, Pakistan hopes that the Islamic Emirate authorities would be responsive to the expectations of the international community.” 

 

He said that “the Afghan interim government must ensure inclusivity, respect for human rights of all Afghan and effective counter-terrorism action.”

 

The Islamic Emirate welcomed the Pakistani foreign minister’s comments but added that the world’s demands, which include interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan, are unacceptable.

 

“In terms of human rights, I should tell you that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan provides all people’s rights in accordance with Islamic principles and the Sharia law. And of course, efforts are underway in some areas where there are inadequacies. Secondly, the demands of the countries must also be fair and there should be no interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.

 

But a number of political analysts said that Pakistan can play a good role in improving the situation in Afghanistan.

 

“in order to gain more trust from the international community, it is even possible to ask for help from neighboring countries like Pakistan to take honest and practical steps in this direction,” said Najib Rahman Shamal, a political affairs analyst.

 

“They want to demonstrate their involvement in Afghan issues in order to gain credit from the international community about Afghanistan and create the impression that Pakistan has a greater influence in Afghanistan,” said Wahid Faqiri, an international relations analyst.