Pakistan Mission to the UN Issues a Statement on Afghanistan Following Security Council Resolution

Following the Security Council adoption of a resolution of Afghanistan that passed with 13 votes with China and Russia abstaining S/RES/2593 (2021).

The resolution says the council expects the Taliban to allow a "safe, secure, and orderly departure from Afghanistan of Afghans and all foreign nationals." and India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla remarks to the media outside of the Security Council Chambers as the President of the Council and his warning that Afghan territory not to be used to attack any country or shelter terrorists.

The mission of Pakistan office of the Spokesperson issued a statement on the resolution and Pakistan position as a neighboring country which was denied participation in the Council to deliver statement under India's Presidency.

The statement reads as follows:

Pakistan is working closely with the regional countries as well as members of the

international community for achieving lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan. We

have been calling on the international community to stay engaged with all relevant parties

and to respond to the current situation in a careful and a calibrated manner, taking into

account the prevailing ground realities in Afghanistan.

We believe that continued constructive engagement of the international community is

vital towards ensuring the success of ongoing efforts for achieving an inclusive political

set-up; seeking continued cooperation in the process of evacuation; as well as addressing

the human rights and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

The initial draft of the UNSC draft resolution did not enjoy consensus. Both in Islamabad

as well as through the Permanent Representative in New York, Pakistan closely engaged

with the members of the Security Council in making the text more balanced and

constructive.

On its part, Pakistan remains at the forefront of supporting efforts to promote an inclusive

political settlement in Afghanistan, and is working closely with the regional countries,

including through the Extended Troika format on Afghanistan that includes Pakistan,

China, Russia and the US.

We are also extending complete support in safe evacuations from Afghanistan. So far

over 10,000 nationals and staff of foreign embassies, United Nations and other

international organizations as well as media personnel have been safely evacuated with

our help, and thousands of more are expected to transit through Pakistan.

2

In addition, Pakistan is providing all possible support to the United Nations and other

international agencies to address the prevailing humanitarian situation in Afghanistan by

serving a humanitarian air bridge for provision of essential supplies, including vital

medical supplies. Earlier today, first PIA Cargo flight with WHO medical supplies

reached from Islamabad to Mazar Sharif as part of this initiative.

Pakistan strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attack at the Kabul airport on 26

August and has been calling for the elimination of all terrorist groups from the Afghan

soil including TTP, Al-Qaeda, ETIM, ISIL-K and IMU. A coordinated approach is

needed to address the threat posed by these terrorist organizations. Terrorist organizations

such as TTP carried out hundreds of cross-border attacks against Pakistan with the

sponsorship of hostile intelligence agencies during the last year alone. The latest attack

carried out of the TTP on 29 August is yet another manifestation of the continued threat

posed by the terrorist group.

Being a host to approximately 4 million Afghan refugees, Pakistan hopes that the

international community will fulfil the call of the UNSC to provide humanitarian

assistance to major Afghan refugee-hosting countries.

We hope that the international community will continue to play a constructive role in

addressing the situation in Afghanistan and prevent the spoilers from disrupting prospects

for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.