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Mr. President,
We thank Special Representative Jan Kubis for his comprehensive briefing. His dynamic leadership and UNAMA’s effective role contribute to the stabilization in Afghanistan.
As we look ahead, the United Nations is likely to play an even greater role in consolidating the gains made in the last decade in Afghanistan // and assisting it in negotiating political and security transitions.
The Secretary General’s latest report outlines the way forward. Earlier, Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson’s visit to Afghanistan was extremely important in assessing the overall situation and extending the United Nations' help for the people of Afghanistan to fulfill their aspirations of peace, justice and development.
We are also pleased to hear Ambassador Zahir Tanin who has shared with us Afghan Government’s perspective and the challenges it is facing. His remarks today are inspiring and forward looking. We congratulate the people of Afghanistan on winning the SAARC football match. We appreciate Ambassador Tanin's message to the Council: Afghanistan and Pakistan will work towards enhanced cooperation.
Mr. President,
Recently, there has been renewed momentum in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
Shortly after assuming office, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif sent his Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz, to Kabul on 21 July to convey our sincere hope to further deepen and broaden our bilateral relations. He underscored that a peaceful, stable and united Afghanistan is in the vital interest of Pakistan. We also said clearly and emphatically: we have no favorites; and we will not interfere in the internal affairs of Afghanistan. President Karzai warmly reciprocated the Prime Minister’s sentiments and said that his government’s engagement with Pakistan would help consolidate the ties between the two countries.
President Karzai visited Pakistan in late August. On that occasion, while sharing his vision of a peaceful and prosperous neighborhood, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan were bound by unbreakable ties of kinship, faith and history. This vision is a legacy of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's sincere attempts for peace in Afghanistan during his first term in office, that contributed to formation of a broad based Government in Afghanistan in 1992.
We are also thankful to Secretary General for his positive evaluation of the discussions between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Karzai last month and his own supportive statements during his own visit to Pakistan in mid- August.
Mr. President,
Strong bilateral ties, especially trade and economic partnerships, are important for our two countries. Productive engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan would reinforce connectivity and regional economic cooperation.
We will continue to work on trade, energy and communication links through trans-national initiatives. In this context, communication, power and rail projects are extremely important.
There is movement on other fronts too. At the request of the Afghan government and the Afghan High Peace Council, we have released another batch of seven Taliban detainees and have announced the release of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. This is in addition to the release of 26 detainees earlier. We are doing this to facilitate the Afghan reconciliation process.
Progress in the peace process is attainable only if all stakeholders share the goals of reconciliation. We need to pursue this goal together, with unity of purpose. Pakistan's civilian and military personnel have given unprecedented sacrifices for fostering peace in the region. These sacrifices must not go waste. We will all be successful when the people of Afghanistan succeed.
It is regrettable that the initiative of dialogue through the Taliban office in Doha sputtered. But we mustn’t lose hope. Dialogue is indispensable. The Afghan government, Taliban and other Afghan political forces must continue to explore ways to find a formula for Afghan reconciliation.
Mr. President,
We are glad to hear from the Secretary General that Afghan security forces have demonstrated increased capabilities and determination in assuming security responsibilities. Filling gaps and redressing deficiencies, we understand, are priorities of the Afghan government. It is also important that organized crime, narcotics trafficking and illicit arms proliferation be stopped.
We need more aggressive policing and surveillance of the border. This will help stop the shelling. Terrorists and militants from both sides are pushing Pakistan and Afghanistan towards escalation. We must not allow to manipulate the two sides.
The Secretary General during his visit to Pakistan last month called attention to the adverse consequences of the use armed drones. Drone strikes infringe our sovereignty, violate international law, including international human rights and humanitarian law, cause civilian casualties and are detrimental to the combined efforts to fight terrorism. We call for cessation of drone strikes. Urgent and intense dialogue can help resolve this issue.
Mr. President,
We agree with the Secretary General’s observation that representative institutions are the foundations of stable transition processes. In this context,, the 2014 elections will guarantee internal and international legitimacy.
While we wish Afghan people success in their security and political transitions, Afghanistan’s economy should not be emaciated. The international community mustn’t abandon Afghanistan once again. Pledges and commitments must be honored for assistance to Afghanistan even as the progress is reviewed under the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework.
Pakistan, for its part, notwithstanding its limited resources, has been extending support through contribution primarily to education, health and infrastructure projects worth US $330 million. We also reiterated our commitment to helping Afghanistan on energy and infrastructure projects during the visit of President Karzai.
Our decision to extend the legal authorization of Afghan refugees living in Pakistan till 31 December 2015 is another manifestation of our continued commitment to supporting our Afghan brothers and sisters in distress. Early, honourable and voluntary return of refugees must continue. Continued support of the UN system and the international community is crucial in this regard.
Mr. President,
Drug money plays a major role in financing extremism and terrorism. The Secretary General's report states that Afghanistan accounted for 74% of the world’s illicit opium production in 2012.
We are trying to evolve a regional approach to tackle this problem. We participated in meetings of the Triangular Initiative in Kabul last month. Pakistan organized a Regional Ministerial Conference on Counter-Narcotics last year, attended by high level representatives from thirteen countries. We are working to establish a Regional Contact Group on Counter-Narcotics.
We believe that UNAMA should support UNODC activities to counter the menace of narcotics production and trafficking.
Mr. President,
Pakistan's own stability and prosperity depend on peace and security in Afghanistan. This shared destiny drives our relationship with Kabul. We are endeavouring to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all spheres, including the economic, political, military and intelligence fields.
We assure the government and the people of Afghanistan of our continued commitment to a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. As our Afghan brothers and sisters move towards a bright future, they will always find us, as steadfast partners, by their side. Keeping faith in each other as well as a common future remains our best hope.
I thank you Mr. President.