Islamabad, Pakistan (CU)_ Pakistan has appreciated the recent attempts to revive the peace process in Afghanistan, but has cautioned against attempts by ravagers to derail the talks and avoid a political settlement in the war-torn region. Ambassador Munir Akram, in a statement to the UN Security Council, urged all parties to work towards a reduction in violence that would lead to a truce, which is a normal outcome of the peace process.
The statement by the Pakistani envoy came after Deborah Lyons, Special Representative for Afghanistan, gave information about the current situation of that country via video link from Kabul, during which she expressed concern about rising levels of violence that are hampering humanitarian efforts and breaking public trust in general.
The Pakistan envoy said, “Terrorism has had a devastating impact on Afghanistan and its neighboring countries”. He said that Pakistan welcomes the international community’s decision of protecting Afghan soil from Al-Qaeda, ISIL/Da’esh, and not allowing any other terrorist groups to threaten or assault any country from Afghan soil.
The Pakistani envoy said that involving the spoilers in the table would delay the chances of an early settlement, adding that attempts must be made to confirm that such efforts support and not upset the peace process. Ambassador Akram commented, “Continuation of violence will strengthen the hands of ‘spoilers’, both within and outside Afghanistan, to subvert the peace negotiations and prevent a comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan”. He added, “We must guard against those who desire to frustrate a peaceful settlement on the pretext of safeguarding democracy and human rights and to continue to use Afghan territory against its neighbors.”
Ambassador Akram said, “Some who have waxed eloquent about terrorism today are the very ones who wish to continue to foment terrorism from Afghanistan’s ungoverned spaces to conduct their war of terrorism against my country”. He expressed hopes that amid various hurdles and potential failures, all Afghan parties would remain committed to achieving a political settlement.
He said that Pakistan aided the start and completion of the US-Taliban Peace Agreement last year, as well as subsequent intra-Afghan negotiations. In relation to this, Ambassador Akram said that Pakistan would support any inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan reached by Afghan leaders and the Taliban. He added, “It is the Afghans who must be the masters of their destiny and decide their own future, without outside influence or interference”.
