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Pakistan calls its ambassadors in key capitals for consultations on Afghanistan, Gaza
The Pakistani government has summoned its ambassadors in key capitals for a three-day in-house consultation on foreign policy challenges including the current state of relationship with Afghanistan, the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, Kashmir dispute and other matters, local media reported.
The ambassadors stationed in 20 key world capitals and international organisations would attend the conference to be held at the foreign ministry in Islamabad in the first week of January, the Express Tribune newspaper reported.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar would attend the inaugural session. Relevant officials will join the diplomats for the three-day consultations.
The conference is an annual feature to discuss contemporary foreign challenges and form Pakistan’s policy accordingly.
This is the first time the conference is taking place in person since 2019.
Ambassadors of Pakistan in the US, France, Germany, UK, India, Russia, China, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey and other countries would attend the conference.
Permanent representatives to the UN and other organisations of the global body will also participate.
Islamabad’s relations with Kabul are tense over security issues.
Pakistan claims attacks on its soil are rooted in Afghanistan, a charge Kabul denies.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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