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Mr. President,
Let me begin by offering our heartfelt condolences to the Russian delegation on the assassination of their Ambassador in Ankara.
We thank the Secretary General for his report and Special Representative Yamamoto for his briefing.
We appreciate the resolve of the Afghan leadership to work together to address their differences in a spirit of cooperation. We agree with the Secretary General that a united Afghan Government is imperative to effectively address the multiple challenges the country faces.
Mr. President,
Continued political volatility, coupled with the uncertain security and economic situation remain a cause of concern for the international community.
In Brussels, we collectively renewed our commitment to support Afghanistan in its efforts to achieve security and economic development over the next decade and a half.
Pakistan will continue to support regional and international efforts in this regard. Our commitment of US $500 million in Brussels was an expression of our firm resolve to never abandon Afghanistan.
Our participation in the Heart of Asia meeting in Amritsar, despite escalation on the Line of Control and the Working Boundary with India, is testimony to our unflinching commitment to lasting peace in Afghanistan and the region.
Although external support is critical, it is not a substitute for internal political stability. Successful implementation of reforms by the Afghan Government and active promotion of peace and reconciliation depend on it.
Mr. President,
The Afghan security forces have tried to bravely stand their ground. Yet the security situation continues to deteriorate. Presence of large number of terrorist, violent and extremist groups and organizations in the ungoverned areas of Afghanistan present a continuing challenge to the long-term stability of Afghanistan and its neighbours.
Security situation in Afghanistan is complex. The drivers of the recent upsurge in violence lie within Afghanistan and not outside. We need to undertake an objective evaluation of the efforts to address the deteriorating security situation. I reiterate Pakistan’s firm commitment in fighting terrorism and eliminating all sorts of terrorist networks. We reject the unsubstantiated assertion that the Taliban reorganize in Pakistan during the winter period. Sanctuaries of terrorists have infact shifted to Afghanistan due to our successful counter terrorism operation Zarb-i-Azb, the results of which are widely acknowledged by the international community.
Nevertheless, robust border management, as Pakistan has always been stressing, is critical to control cross border movement. We are unable to understand the logic behind resistance towards operationalization of this much-needed mechanism. It is rather disingenuous to propose a regional mechanism when Kabul is unwilling even to work on this bilaterally.
Mr. President,
The peace and reconciliation process is yet to produce results. And we understand Afghan frustration on this count. But it is not due to lack of effort on our part. We continue to persist sincerely and wholeheartedly. But we can only facilitate There is a need for the Afghan parties to conclude that military means cannot bring peace, and reconciliation is the only way to achieve lasting stability.
All our efforts must be directed towards achieving a politically negotiated settlement through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process. We believe that all members of the QCG need to redouble their efforts for this objective. Efforts that undermine peace and reconciliation must be avoided. Faithful implementation of agreed approaches and maintaining trust among the partners remains fundamental for furthering peace and reconciliation.
The Afghan Government has signed a peace agreement with the Hizb-i-Islami. Implementation of this peace deal can serve as a model for talks with other groups as well.
Mr. President,
Despite the negative rhetoric, Pakistan has remained committed to facilitate transit of goods to landlocked Afghanistan through its territory. We believe the two sides need to work together for extension of and improvements in the Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA). In this context, let me emphasize that peaceful resolution of outstanding disputes will further enhance prospects of regional cooperation and connectivity.
Mr. President,
For almost four decades, we have hosted millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. We remain committed to their return to their homeland with honour and dignity. We are fully engaged with Afghanistan and the UNHCR in this regard. We are working on plans to extend their stay in Pakistan till 31 December 2017 and keep their voluntary return smooth and orderly. International support and creating pull factors in Afghanistan remain critical.
Mr. President,
People of Pakistan and Afghanistan enjoy not only age-old bonds of kinship, faith and shared history but also a shared destiny. We rejoice in their accomplishments and are saddened by their suffering. We are ready to support them in every way. And we are with our Afghan brothers and sisters in their struggle for a better future - a future that brings prosperity, health, education and above all peace and stability for the whole region.
I thank you.