(MENAFN- Pajhwok Afghan News) KABUL (Pajhwok): Pakistan has called for a diplomatic surge to seize the opportunity for peace in Afghanistan, promising continued support for efforts to stabilise the conflict-devastated country.
€œWhile the onus for seizing this opportunity rests with the parties directly involved in the conflict, Pakistan will do what it can to support all efforts to launch a sustained peace process,€ Pakistan€™s envoy to the UN said.
A statement from the Pakistan embassy here quoted Dr. Maleeha Lodhi as saying that her country had endured the greatest suffering and damage from the strife, violence and instability in Afghanistan and neighbourhood.
Despite little global assistance, the diplomat told the UN General Assembly, Pakistan continued to host more than two million Afghans - the largest protracted presence of refugees anywhere in the world.
She said Pakistan had a vital interest in a peaceful, stable, united and prosperous Afghanistan, she said, adding they were working to strengthen bilateral relations through the recently-agreed Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity.
The strategy aims at closer engagement on political, economic, military, intelligence and refugee issues. A number of initiatives have been taken to support Afghanistan€™s economic development, including financial assistance for various projects.
€œWe look forward to the day when transit trade from Central Asia could flow through Afghanistan and Pakistan ... Pakistan is also committed to several regional projects including TAPI and CASA-1000, which will contribute to the economic integration of the entire region.
€œOver 50,000 Afghan students have studied in various universities and educational institutions in Pakistan. We have offered 4,000 scholarships to Afghan students in our universities. We are confident these young Afghans, on returning to their country, will contribute to its economic development and progress.€
Neither the US-led coalition nor the Taliban would be able to impose their will on each other, Lodhi said, stressing a negotiated political settlement as the only way to end the violence and bloodshed in Afghanistan.
Despite this bleak picture, she noted some positive developments, including international consensus that durable peace could be achieved only through a political settlement and President Ashraf Ghani€™s willingness to pursue a negotiated settlement.
She welcomed the nomination of the government€™s negotiating team and the US decision to play an active role in promoting a political settlement and engaging in direct talks with the Taliban.
In response to President Donald Trump€™s request, Lodhi added, Prime Minister Imran Khan had promised to do all he could to support the peace process. She also praised efforts being made by Russia, China and other regional states to promote dialogue among the Afghan parties.
€œAfghanistan and our region are at a crucial juncture. The path to peace in Afghanistan is onerous, but seems achievable. It is now for the parties concerned to commit themselves to work seriously towards a negotiated solution to the conflict.€
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