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Madam President,
I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Afghanistan Jan Kubis for his statement. SRSG Kubis has, over the past three years, provided the leadership and the vision that UNAMA needed. We also appreciate his recent visits to Pakistan.
We are also thankful to Ambassador Zahir Tanin for his statement.
Madam President,
Pakistan supports peaceful democratic transition in Afghanistan. We have pursued a policy of neutrality, stressing that the elections are an Afghan affair. We enhanced security along the border during the two rounds.
Completion of the electoral process in a credible and timely manner, we hope, would bring about a stronger, more stable, and unified Afghanistan. We welcome all sincere efforts aimed at promoting understanding between the two presidential candidates.
Pakistan has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to work with whoever emerges as the democratic choice of the Afghan people.
Madam President,
Pakistan and Afghanistan agree that terrorism was a common enemy and on the need to strengthen cooperation and coordination to deal with this common menace.
Pakistan is making a resolute and stern effort against terrorists and their hideouts through operation Zarb-e-Azb. We expect all possible cooperation by the Afghan Government to take measures to eliminate terrorist sanctuaries on their side.
Regrettably, we have seen a proliferation of cross border attacks into Pakistan over the last few months. This has been coupled with unsubstantiated allegations. Our constructive engagement, we hope, would help build trust.
We also remain committed to working on the economic, trade and energy linkages envisioned in Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s prosperous neighborhood strategy.
Madam President,
We agree with the Secretary General’s assessment that Afghan economy is a source of grave concern. Economic decline would have an impact on everything – reconstruction, security, refugee repatriation and peace and stability. It is important that the international community recommits to supporting Afghanistan at the London Conference later this year. Predictability and continuity are the key words.
Madam President,
Strengthening the capacity of ANSF is essential for dealing with the security challenges pertaining to the situation post-2014. It is reassuring that the international community, at the NATO Summit in Wales, has reaffirmed continuous engagement with Afghanistan, with pledges of increased financial support for ANSF.
We also believe that sustainable peace is not possible without comprehensive national reconciliation. We hope proper attention would now be paid to an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process. It is an essential pillar of stability that cannot be ignored indefinitely.
Madam President,
The Secretary General’s report mentions declining rate of refugee return. We hope Afghanistan would work on creating the pull factors necessary for sustainable return of Afghan refugees.
Another issue of concern for us is the illicit economy. We agree with the Secretary General that it was both a symptom and a source of uncertainty.
Madam President,
Pakistan continues to be constructively engaged with regional and international efforts for Afghanistan’s stability and development. We appreciate the wise leadership that China is providing to the Istanbul Process and look forward to the Ministerial Conference is Tianjin
Madam President,
A peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s vital interest. We recommit ourselves to supporting all endeavors in the cause of peace, stability and development of the country.
I thank you.