Pakistan PM Calls on International Community to ‘Meaningfully Engage’ with Afghanistan

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, on Tuesday urged the international community to “meaningfully engage” with Afghanistan to move forward.

He claimed that the international community is at a standstill with Afghanistan and that Kabul has not received the crucial support to avert a humanitarian crisis.

Shehbaz Sharif remarked that the Taliban must take steps to guarantee that their territory is not utilized for terrorism while speaking virtually at the 23rd Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State.

Premier Narendra Modi presided over the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting. Meanwhile, the leaders of regional countries include Russian President Vladimir Putin, China President Xi Jinping, and other leaders.

“The achievement of lasting peace and security in the region is a common concern and a responsibility of all honourable SCO leaders. Stability in Afghanistan is critical for achieving this common objective. The international community currently finds itself at a standstill with Afghanistan,” Sharif said.

“The cascade of unmet expectations has meant that critical support needed by Afghanistan to ward off a grave humanitarian crisis, prevent an economic meltdown, and combat terrorism has been withheld. This policy needs an urgent reset. The international community should meaningfully engage with the interim Afghan government to take the next steps,” he added.

According to Sharif, a peaceful and stable Afghanistan will benefit that country’s people, unleash the SCO region’s full economic potential, and advance global peace, security, and growth. He also added that the SCO Afghanistan contact group is crucial in creating a framework for practical cooperation.

“Similarly, the interim Afghan government must also take concrete measures to ensure its soil is not used for terrorism by any entity. A peaceful and stable Afghanistan will not only bring economic dividends to the Afghan people. However, it will also unlock the true economic potential of the SCO region as well as contribute to global peace, security, and progress. The SCO Afghanistan contact group is important in providing a platform for practical cooperation,” Sharif said.

In the meantime, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Afghan land should not be used to upend the country’s neighbourhoods. Additionally, he forced the member countries to strive for Afghanistan’s welfare and provide the country with humanitarian aid.

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