- Wednesday, April 24, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
THE foreign office of Pakistan has issued a statement expressing disappointment over not being invited to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on the situation in Afghanistan, despite being the closest neighbour to that country.
On Friday (6), the 15-member council held a meeting under the presidency of India where it made a veiled attack on Pakistan saying it was providing safe havens to terrorists.
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“For enduring peace in Afghanistan, terrorist safe havens and sanctuaries in the region must be dismantled immediately and terrorist supply chains disrupted. It needs to be ensured that Afghanistan’s neighbours and the region are not threatened by terrorism, separatism, and extremism,” Indian ambassador to the UN T S Tirumurti said.
Pakistan later said that it had made a formal request for participation at the meeting but was refused.
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The country’s foreign office said, “Pakistan is the closest neighbour of Afghanistan whose contribution in the ongoing peace process has been recognized by the international community. Pakistan’s constructive efforts with the support of the international community led to important milestones in Doha peace process. Pakistan calls upon all sides in Afghanistan to eschew the military approach and work together to secure an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement. It is equally important to remain cognisant of spoilers, both within and outside.”
On Saturday (7), it alleged that the UNSC podium was being used for “peddling false narratives against Pakistan”.
“Pakistan categorically rejects these accusations. Pakistan’s position on the issue has been shared with Security Council members,” it said, adding that its stand on the Afghanistan situation remains consistent as it believes that the Afghan conflict cannot have any military solution and political compromise is the only way to have long-lasting peace.
Afghanistan’s permanent envoy to the UN Ghulam Isaczai also slammed Pakistan accusing it of providing safe haven and logistical support to the Taliban. He said Kabul is prepared to provide evidence to back its claim that Islamabad is providing supply chain to the extremist group.
Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has earlier said that the Taliban are normal citizens and not any military outfit that the Pakistan army can hunt them down.
