Engagement with Afghanistan should be enhanced for multiple reasons: FM

Islamabad: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Thursday said that the engagement with Afghanistan must not only continue but should be enhanced for multiple reasons.

Pakistan held a meeting on Afghanistan with envoys from the United States, China, and Russia on Thursday as the Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mahmood warned its neighbor was on the brink of economic collapse.

The grouping of countries, known as the “Troika Plus” met formally for the first time since the Taliban took over Afghanistan.

While addressing a Troika Plus Meeting in Islamabad today, the minister said that nobody wishes to see a relapse into civil war; no one wants an economic collapse that will spur instability; everyone wants terrorist elements operating inside Afghanistan to be tackled effectively, and; we all want to prevent a new refugee crisis. 

“All of us have common concerns related to Afghanistan and also have a shared interest in the country's peace and stability. And to bring that about is a shared responsibility,” he said. 

Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed confidence that Troika Plus's engagement with the new Afghan government will help consolidate peace and stability, promote sustainable economic development and help constrict space for terrorist outfits operating from and within Afghanistan. 

“Today, Afghanistan stands at the brink of an economic collapse. It is, therefore, imperative for the international community to buttress provision of humanitarian assistance on an urgent basis,” said the minister, adding that health, education, and municipal services require urgent attention.

The Foreign Minister said being an immediate neighbor, Pakistan has a direct stake in Afghanistan's peace and stability.

“Located next door, we have borne the brunt of four decades of conflict and instability in the shape of refugees, drugs, and terrorism,” Qureshi added.

Afghanistan’s Taliban-appointed acting foreign minister carried out a three-day visit to Islamabad to discuss trade and other ties this week.