Pakistan for inclusive govt in Afghanistan, but recognition only after regional consultations: Munir Akram

By
APP
|

Pakistan is in talks with the regional countries for a stable, inclusive Afghan government, says Munir Akram. File photo
Pakistan is in talks with the regional countries for a stable, inclusive Afghan government, says Munir Akram. File photo

  • Munir Akram says Pakistan prioritises stability in Afghanistan, through an inclusive government and action against terrorism.
  • We are consulting with all the regional countries in order to have a coordinated approach on the issue, says Akram.
  • Pakistan has to deal with the humanitarian situation and the terrorism threat: Akram.


UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan would like an “inclusive, broad-based government” in Afghanistan, but the question of recognition would arise only after the leaders of Taliban and other groups, now in talks, form a government, Ambassador Munir Akram has said.

“We are consulting with all the regional countries in order to have a coordinated approach on the issue of not only the recognition but going forward, what steps are required to stabilise Afghanistan," he said in an interview with Al Jazeera on Friday.

"That's our priority, which is to stabilise Afghanistan, for which we will need to have humanitarian assistance, reviving the economy, inclusive government, and action against terrorism," the Pakistani envoy said.

"So all these issues are in the mix," Ambassador Akram said.

The question of recognition, he said, will only emerge once there is a government in Afghanistan, for which talks are going on.

"We are hoping that the government which they announce will be an inclusive government, which will have representation from the different ethnicities and different groups in Afghanistan so that they can command and (have) support throughout the country."

At the same time, Ambassador Akram said: “The issue of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan is a special concern for Pakistan because we have had the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has been operating from the territory of Afghanistan, which had support from the intelligence agency of the former government, as well as the Indian intelligence agency.”

He hoped that TPP and other terrorist groups, including Daesh Khurasan, would be "neutralised."

In response to a question, he said Pakistan was also helping with the evacuation efforts, having Pakistan flown out of Afghanistan about 2,200 diplomats, employees of international organisations, and Afghans who have had emergency needs.

Pakistan was also facilitating the task of UN humanitarian personnel to deal with the emergency situation of 14 million food-insecure people in Afghanistan, Ambassador Akram said.

"I think if there is a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, we will see large outflows of refugees on our borders and those of other neighbours," he said pointing out that Pakistan is just not in a position to take more refugees, with 3 million Afghans already in the country.

"So it's a big concern for us — we have to deal with the humanitarian situation, and we have to deal with the terrorism threat."