ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has warned that international terrorist organizations will take advantage of the worsening Afghanistan situation and increase their footprints in Afghanistan.
In his interaction with media representatives in Islamabad on Friday, he also warned that if the attention is not paid to avert the humanitarian crisis and economic collapse in Afghanistan, it will become the largest humanitarian crisis in the world and all the gains of the last 20 years will evaporate.
The foreign minister said that Pakistan being an immediate neighbour is concerned over the situation because it has an interest in the peace and stability of Afghanistan.
Very constructive session with members of Pakistan’s media fraternity, discussing the upcoming 17th Extraordinary Session of the @OIC_OCI Council of Foreign Ministers. Together we must draw the world’s attention to act on the dire humanitarian crisis in #Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/PSkmfPHYAF
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) December 17, 2021
Qureshi said that there is a possibility of peace and stability in Afghanistan after 40 years and if the opportunity is missed, we should be prepared for a new exodus of refugees which will not only affect Pakistan, the neighbouring Countries but also the whole world including the European Countries.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi also stressed for rebooting the banking system of Afghanistan, saying it will be the first big step towards the economic stability of the Country.
The minister said that Pakistan and the OIC Countries may contribute to the capacity building of the Afghans. He pointed out that many Afghan nationals living abroad want to help their families back home by remitting the money.
The foreign minister urged the international community to reach out to ordinary Afghans suffering immensely for no fault of theirs.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the upcoming Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers is aimed at drawing the world’s attention towards the plight of the Afghan people. He said that the OIC has been supporting the Afghan people over the years.
The foreign minister said that Pakistan has transported relief goods to Afghanistan. He, however, stressed that mitigating the challenges faced by the Afghan people is a shared responsibility.
Responding to a question, the foreign minister said that Pakistan stands by the Afghan people, clarifying that Pakistan is neither advocate nor spokesperson for the Taliban. He said that we are only speaking for 38 million Afghan people.
