United Nations, September 29 : Pakistan and the US need to work as “responsible partners” in Afghanistan’s peace process and the three nations should not question each other’s intention, Foreign Minister Hina Rabani Khar has said.
Khar, who today addressed the 66th session of the UN General Assembly, said Pakistan is firmly committed to promoting stability and peace in Afghanistan while noting that the road ahead for peace in the country and the region is “full of challenges.”
“The complexity of the situation and the ground dynamics need to be analysed objectively and carefully.
Clarity and strategic coherence, especially among Afghanistan, United States and Pakistan is of utmost importance,” she said.
“Given the volatility of the situation, it is perhaps understandable that there is a high level of anxiety and emotions.
But we must not lose sight of the goals.
We must work closely and as responsible partners together in a cooperative manner and not rush to judgments or question each other’s intentions,” Khar said.
Khar’s comments comes in the backdrop of escalating war of words between the US and Pakistan over ISI and its links with the deadly Haqqani network.
The Foreign Minister said Pakistan fully supports an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned inclusive process of reconciliation and peace for Afghanistan and wants to see a united, independent and sovereign country.
She noted that a cooperative endeavour, in full solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, is the only way of ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
Urging all concerned to join the reconciliation process, Pakistan also calls for a de-escalation and cessation of violence.
Khar said Pakistan also condemns the recent terror attacks in Kabul and the tragic assassination of former President Burhanuddin Rabbani.
“Such cowardly attacks will never succeed in deterring our proud Afghan brothers and sisters from realizing the noble goal of reconciliation and peace.”
She said necessary operational policy coordination between the three countries can be achieved by charting a clear roadmap to achieve shared goals and objectives.
“Pakistan is willing to do its best with the international partners and, most notably, the governments of Afghanistan and the United States, to acquit itself of this high responsibility, at this defining moment in one of the most important struggles of our times.”
—PTI