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Mr. President,
With the successful holding of the parliamentary and provincial council
elections in September, Afghanistan has passed the last major milestone in the
Bonn political process. The forthcoming inauguration of the new parliament, we
hope, augurs Afghanistan’s continued progress towards durable peace and
stability.
2. Pakistan and Afghanistan are inextricably bound by history, culture, faith
and mutual interdependence. The spirit of the relationship between our peoples
was demonstrated by the generous and immediate assistance provided to us by
brotherly Afghanistan in the wake of the tragic 8 October earthquake.
3. We commend our Afghan brethren for their steadfast commitment to peace,
reconciliation and development. A peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan is in the
best interest of Pakistan, indeed of the entire region. Peace will enable the
safe and dignified return of the 3 million Afghan refugees still in Pakistan.
Economic revival in Afghanistan will accelerate the already burgeoning trade and
economic cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Peace in Afghanistan will
also open up the shortest transit routes for trade in energy, raw materials and
goods between Central Asia, South Asia and the world, with enormous economic
benefits for Afghanistan, Pakistan and all the countries of the region. Pakistan
and Afghanistan are both members of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).
Earlier this month, Pakistan actively supported, and warmly welcomes,
Afghanistan’s entry as a member of the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC).
4. The close bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan are marked by
frequent exchange of high level visits, progressive institutionalization and
cooperation in diverse fields, record level of transit trade, and bilateral
trade which reached $1.2 billion last year. Pakistan is actively participating
in Afghanistan’s reconstruction. During the visit of our Prime Minister to Kabul
in July this year, additional assistance of 100 million dollars was committed.
These funds will be utilized in consultation with and on projects identified by
the Afghan Government. Of the 100 million dollars pledged earlier by Pakistan at
the Tokyo Conference, almost 50 million has been utilized for humanitarian
assistance, projects in infrastructure, health, education and transport sectors,
and capacity building of state institutions. Pakistan is also providing training
to Afghan officials in several fields including diplomacy, judiciary, police,
counter narcotics, agriculture, customs and banking. A brief overview of
Pakistan’s contribution to reconstruction in Afghanistan is being circulated
with my statement.
Mr. President,
5. Sustaining the progress made by Afghanistan over the past 4 years requires
the continued support of the international community to overcome the remaining
daunting challenges faced by Afghanistan - terrorist threats, narcotics and drug
barons, warlords and illegal armed groups, reintegration of Afghan Military
Forces, development of institutions, rule of law and justice sector reform,
fight against corruption, promotion of national reconciliation, safe and orderly
return of Afghan refugees, human rights, and above all economic and social
development and reconstruction. The conference planned for early next year in
London should reaffirm the international community’s support for the post Bonn
phase of nation building in Afghanistan. The United Nations must continue to
play a vital role in Afghanistan’s stabilization and development.
6. The draft resolution (A/60/L.27) under consideration today presents a broad
overview of the situation in Afghanistan. We thank the delegation of Germany for
coordinating the formulation of the draft resolution, which has been introduced
by Ambassador Pleuger (Germany). Pakistan is a co-sponsor of the draft
resolution which we hope will be adopted by consensus.
7. Insecurity remains a major challenge to Afghanistan’s stabilization and
reconstruction. We condemn the recent attacks in Afghanistan. The causes of
insecurity are several and complex: terrorist and extremist elements, criminal
activity and illicit production and trafficking of drugs, besides the perennial
problems of poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment. The Afghan government
must continue to receive the support of the International Security Assistance
Force and the Operation Enduring Freedom coalition in building security.
Pakistan supports the presence of international forces in Afghanistan, and their
strengthening as necessary, until peace and stability are fully restored and a
viable Afghan National Army can assume full responsibility for the country’s
security.
8. For its part, Pakistan has mounted a determined campaign to eliminate
Al-Qaeda and Taliban elements on our side of the border and to prevent illegal
cross-border movement. The Afghanistan-Pakistan-U.S. Tripartite Commission
coordinates this cooperative campaign. We have deployed 75,000 troops and
established 700 posts along the border. Another 4000 troops were added for
interdiction duties in the run-up to the Afghan Parliamentary elections. We have
also proposed partial fencing of the border to minimize chances of illegal
movements.
9. I should recall that Pakistan’s operations have killed or captured over 700
of Al-Qaeda and Taliban terrorist elements. As a result of our efforts
Al-Qaeda’s command and control structure has been largely dismantled. Our forces
have unfortunately suffered more than 200 casualties in these operations. It is
most disappointing that these Pakistani efforts and sacrifices fail to find
mention in the Secretary General’s report. May I note here that Pakistan’s troop
strength on the border with Afghanistan far exceeds the combined strength of the
national and international military presence within Afghanistan.
10. Narcotics remains a major and pervasive problem in Afghanistan. As a recent
survey has shown, much more needs to be done to overcome this challenge to both
security and development. Promoting alternative livelihoods is the key to moving
away from a drugs based economy. Considerably more assistance needs to reach
farmers directly as a disincentive for poppy cultivation. Efforts are also
required to reduce the demand for drugs in destination countries and to combat
illicit trafficking of precursors. To coordinate efforts for the interdiction of
narcotics and precursor chemical flows, a Counter-narcotics Working Group,
comprising officials of Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Coalition Forces, has been
established.
Mr. President,
11. Pakistan continues to look forward to the voluntary return, in safety and
honour, of the three million Afghan refugees we still host, without any
appreciable international assistance. Their orderly return and effective
reintegration will contribute to the stability of Afghanistan and the region.
Greater international assistance is needed in this context, including through
the extension of the UNHCR sponsored voluntary repatriation programme for Afghan
refugees in Pakistan which is due for termination next March. The figures from
the census of Afghans living in Pakistan held in February-March 2005 underscore
the need for concerted efforts to increase Afghanistan’s absorptive capacity in
areas of potential return, by introduction of employment generating
reconstruction schemes as well as provision of land and shelter, apart from
assuring security. We support and appreciate the recent call by High
Commissioner António Guterres to take into account the needs of the repatriating
refugees in the development plans to be considered at the forthcoming London
Conference. The international community must also assist Pakistan in
rehabilitation of the refugee impacted areas of Pakistan.
Mr. President,
12. Success in Afghanistan requires long-term commitment and a comprehensive
strategy to address the security, political, economic and social objectives. As
the Secretary-General has observed in his report, even without the burden of
violent insurgency, the reconstruction of Afghanistan faces a truly formidable
combination of challenges, including the pervasive drug economy and some of the
lowest social and economic indicators in the world. The discussion of the post
Bonn agenda provides a unique opportunity for a broad dialogue between
Afghanistan and the international community. Pakistan stands ready to play its
part in that process. We urge the international community to stay the course
until durable peace and enlarged prosperity is achieved in Afghanistan.
Thank you.
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Annex
PAKISTAN’S PARTICIPATION IN
RECONSTRUCTION OF AFGHANISTAN
At the Tokyo Conference (January 2002), Pakistan pledged US$ 100 million for the
reconstruction of Afghanistan. A sum of US$ 49 million has already been
utilized, whereas the remainder has been earmarked for agreed projects in
infrastructure, health and education sectors, as well as for capacity building
of Afghan State institutions. During the Prime Minister’s recent visit to
Afghanistan on 24th July, an additional allocation of US$ 100 million was
announced. Pakistan’s support for Afghan reconstruction is need-based, and
focused on areas prioritized by the Afghans themselves. The Pakistan-Afghanistan
Joint Economic Commission provides an institutional mechanism for streamlining
the decision-making process concerning Pakistan’s participation in Afghan
reconstruction.
2. Some of major past and present initiatives for support to Afghanistan and
Afghan nationals are as under:
I. Budgetary Support
3. Pakistan provided, in April 2002, a grant US$ 10 million as budgetary support
to the Government of Afghanistan. Pakistan was one of the first countries to
channel funds directly to the Afghan Government.
II. Infrastructure Development
a) Rehabilitation of Torkhum-Jalalabad Road
Work on the 75-Km road commenced in February 2004 and was expected to be
completed by June 2005. However, it has fallen behind schedules, partly on
account of security concerns. Following some recent administrative changes, work
on the project is expected to pick pace. The Frontier Works Organization which
has taken over the project (March 2005) is expected to complete it in 12 to 15
months.
The National Highway Authority of Pakistan is also undertaking rehabilitation of
some local roads in Jalalabad.
b) Chaman-Kandahar Rail Link
The feasibility study for the Chaman-Kandahar Rail Link (106 Km at an estimated
cost of $110 million) has been completed by Pakistan Railways. During the Prime
Minister’s visit to Kabul, it was decided to commence work on the 11 KM Chaman-Spin
Boldak segment of the rail track, which will be constructed by Pakistan at an
estimated cost of about US$ 7 million.
c) Supply of Electricity to border areas of Afghanistan
The proposal envisages supply of electricity from Pakistan’s tribal areas to the
border areas of Afghanistan. WAPDA is preparing a feasibility study for supply
electricity from North Waziristan to the adjoining Khost City in Afghanistan.
III. Education Sector
a) Printing of 10 million textbooks
In 2003, 5 million Darri and Pashto language Afghan textbooks were printed in
Pakistan and distributed for use by Afghan school children. At the request of
Afghan authorities another 5 million textbooks are being printed in Pakistan, of
which 1.4 million have already been dispatched for distribution.
b) Gift of School Kits
80,000 school kits for Afghan school children was recently handed over to the
Afghan authorities.
c) Rehabilitation of Rehman Baba High School, Kabul
On the request of Afghan authorities, Pakistan will provide assitance in
rehabilitation of Rehman Baba High School in Kabul (Rs. 120 million, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs’ funds). Work on the project has already commenced.
d) Faculty blocks at Kabul, Nangarhar and Balkh Universities
Pakistan will construct the ‘Allama Iqbal Facuity of Arts’ at Kabul University,
an Engineering bloc at Balkh University, Mazar-e-Shareef and a faculty block at
Nanagarhar University, Jalalabad. NESPAK has prepared feasibility studies for
the projects. These are at initial stages of implementation.
e) Scholarships for Afghan nationals
Hundreds of Afghan nationals including doctors, engineers, etc regularly enroll
in Pakistani Institutes of Higher Learning. The Government of Pakistan offers a
total of 22 annual scholarships for Afghan refugees in the fields of Medicine,
Engineering, Dentistry and Pharmacy. 10 additional scholarships have been
offered to Afghan nationals in the fields of Business Administration and
Information Technology.
IV. Health Sector
a) Medical and Eye Camps
Pakistan has so far conducted two free Eye Camps in the Afghan City of Jalalabad.
In the last Camp held in February this year, a total of 357 patients were
operated upon free of cost, and 4127 glasses distributed. Another Eye Camp will
be held in August in Kabul. Additional Eye and Medical Camps are being planned
for other locations in Afghanistan.
b) Jinnah Hospital in Kabul
Pakistan will establish a 100-150 bedded General Hospital in Kabul, including a
50-bed Thalaecemia Centre. Site for the project has been identified. Work is
expected to commence shortly.
c) Kidney Hospital in Jalalabad, Artificial Limbs Centre in Mazar and General
Hospital in Logar
Work on the above medical facilities, which will be constructed in Afghanistan
with assistance from Pakistan is at preliminary stages of implementation.
d) Gift of Ambulances
Pakistan has supplied 45 fully equipped ambulances to various hospitals in
Afghanistan.
e) Mobile Medical Units and Maternity and Child Care Centres
Pakistan would gift to Afghanistan fourteen fully equipped Mobile Medical Units
and establish Child Vaccination and Maternity Centres at various locations in
the country.
V. Broadcasting and Communications
a) Repeater Station
A repeater Station for the Kabul-Peshawar digital Radio link was installed near
Jalalabad in June 2003.
b) FM Radio Transmitters
Two FM Radio transmitters fabricated by the Pakistan Broadcasting Cooperation
were gifted to Afghan authorities early this year for installation at Kabul.
c) TV Transmitter
A TV Transmitter worth Rs. 3 million would be gifted shortly for installation at
Kabul.
VI. Transport Sector
a) Trucks
To mitigate the needs of Afghanistan’s transport sector, last year, Pakistan
gifted 200 trucks to Afghan authorities.
b) Buses
Pakistan has gifted 100 locally assembled wide-body buses to Afghanistan. The
buses have been tailored to cater to Afghanistan’s specific needs and road
conditions.
VII. Humanitarian Assistance
4. Pakistan’s assistance to Afghanistan has a strong humanitarian dimension.
Assistance of a purely humanitarian nature is frequently dispatched to
Afghanistan often on the request of Afghan authorities. Some of the examples are
listed below:
a) Commodity Assistance
In 2002, 50,000 M. tons of Wheat worth US$ 8.12 million were dispatched to
Afghanistan.
b) Facilitation of Hajj by Afghan nationals
On a special request made by the Afghan President, Pakistan operated four
chartered flights to transport Afghan pilgrims from Kabul to Jeddah and back in
2002.
c) Donations made by our Ambassador in Kabul
Our Ambassador in Kabul has been distributing a wide range of items of necessity
in different areas of Afghanistan. These include bicycles, sewing machines,
blankets and shawls, stationery for schoolchildren, sports items, medicines,
computers, generators and other equipment. Donations have been distributed in
Kabul, Parwan, Paktia, Logar and Kandahar Provinces.
d) Food Relief
50, 000 packets of food, each weighing 35 Kg and containing 11 items were
dispatched to Afghanistan recently. In addition, In response to requests by
Afghan authorities, Pakistan dispatched Rs. 10 million worth of food assistance
for people of Ghazni Province in August 2004.
e) Supply of Tents
Heavy rainfalls and floods rendered many Afghans homeless last year. This year,
Pakistan has supplied 9,600 tents worth Rs. 1 million to Afghanistan.
VIII. Agricultural Sector
a) Supply of Plant Saplings
On the request of Afghan authorities, Pakistan donated more than 200,000 plant
sapling to Afghanistan for plantation during the 2004 spring plantation
season.(Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ funds).
b) Rehabilitation of Olive Orchards
Pakistan will assist in rehabiltation of the Olive Orchards in Afghanistan’s
Nangarhar Province.
IX. Capacity Building
5. We are extending training facilities to Afghanistan for capacity building of
State institutions. We are training Afghan diplomats, police and customs
officers on a regular basis. In addition, we have offered to Afghan nationals
training facilities in a wide range of other fields including postal services,
audit and accounts, payment systems and taxation and banking and finance. More
than a hundred Afghan officials have already received training in Pakistan,
details of which are given hereunder:
a) Diplomats
Nine Afghan diplomats were trained at the Foreign Service Academy, Islamabad in
2003, five in 2004 and another five this year.
b) Judicial Officers
Twenty Afghan judicial officers received training in 2003 at the International
Islamic University, Islamabad. Pakistan has offered to train more
c) Customs Officers
CBR trained twenty-two Afghan Customs officials in Pakistan last year. Two
senior officers of Pakistan Customs have been posted in Kabul to assist in
rehabilitation
d) Police Officers
Pakistan has offered to provide training to 1250 Afghan police officers of
various ranks. Thirty-seven senior Afghan police officers recently completed a
nine-month training at the National Police Academy, Islamabad in January.
Another thirty senior-level police officers are currently undergoing training at
the Academy.
e) Agriculturalists
40 Afghan agriculturalists have recently completed short duration training
courses at NWFP Agricultural University on ‘Irrigation and Water Management
Practices’ and ‘Post Harvest Management and Marketing’. The courses were held in
collaboration with an American University.
f) Counter-Narcotics
With the collaboration of UNODC, 25 Counter-Narcotics personnel were trained in
Pakistan in 2004.
Section 1.01 Transit Trade
Pakistan has taken a number of steps to facilitate Afghan transit trade. These
include deletion of all but 3 items from the Negative List and reduction of port
charges by 50% and railway carriage charges by 25%. (Additional 3 items (tyres
and tubes, tv sets and telephones) were removed from the Negative List at the
fifth Session of the JEC 23-24 July 2005). Port Qasim has been notified as an
additional entry-point for Afghan transit goods. In addition to Pakistan
Railway, NLC has been authorized to transport Afghan transit goods. Moreover,
Afghan cargo has been exempted from inspection by Pakistan Customs. As a result,
the value of Afghan transit trade has doubled in three years, from Rs. 10.27
billion in 2001 to Rs. 22.86 billion in 2004.
In addition, arrangements are underway for processing of Afghan import documents
at Port Qasim beside the facility already available at Karachi port. The transit
facilitation procedure for non-commercial cargo has been simplified.
Arrangements have also been made to ensure expeditious clearance of perishable
commodities.
Section 1.02
Section 1.03 Bilateral Trade
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has registered a steady
increase. Trade volume rose from US$ 169 million in 2000-2001 to US$ 540.3
million in 2003-2004, and touched US$ 1.2 billion in 2004-05.
Some of the steps taken to encourage bilateral trade include reduction in duty
on import of Afghan fruit from 25% to 5%, and the establishment of additional
customs stations at Ghulam Khan and Shahi. Eight more stations are being set up
in the border areas. In addition, we have proposed negotiations on Preferential
Trade Agreement, which could be an important step toward Free Trade Agreement
between the two countries.
During the Prime Minister’s visit to Afghanistan (24th July 2005), the two sides
signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Promotion of Investment. The MoU
lays the framework for greater collaboration between the private sectors of the
two countries.
Bilateral Trade
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has registered a steady
increase. Trade volume rose from US$ 169 million in 2000-2001 to US$ 540.3
million in 2003-2004, and touched US$ 1.2 billion in 2004-05.
Some of the steps taken to encourage bilateral trade include reduction in duty
on import of Afghan fruit from 25% to 5%, and the establishment of additional
customs stations at Ghulam Khan and Shahi. Eight more stations are being set up
in the border areas. In addition, we have proposed negotiations on Preferential
Trade Agreement, which could be an important step toward Free Trade Agreement
between the two countries.
During the Prime Minister’s visit to Afghanistan (24th July 2005), the two sides
signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Promotion of Investment. The MoU
lays the framework for greater collaboration between the private sectors of the
two countries.
I thank you, Mr. President.