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OIC special envoy meets with Pakistani officials for talks on Afghanistan
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s special envoy for Afghanistan Tarig Ali Bakheet this week met with Pakistan’s foreign minister Amna Baloch for talks on the situation in Afghanistan.
According to a statement issued by the OIC, both sides shared perspectives on political, economic and humanitarian issues regarding Afghanistan.
Bakheet also delivered an official written message from the OIC Secretary-General on the latest developments regarding the organization’s work and activities in Afghanistan to support the Afghan people.
Both sides underscored the need to continue to coordinate, consult, and cooperate in the interest of stability and progress in Afghanistan.
Bakheet also met with Ahmed Naseem Warraich, Additional Secretary (Afghanistan & West Asia). During this meeting, both sides exchanged views on various international formats for engagement on Afghanistan and possibilities to strengthen and enhance these initiatives.
“They also discussed the efforts of the OIC and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to pursue a constructive dialogue with the de facto authorities on various issues including girls’ education, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian aspects,” the OIC’s statement read.
Bakheet also met with Kazim Niaz, Pakistan’s minister of economic affairs and shared the progress made in the operationalization of the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund (AHTF) since the mandate entrusted by the extraordinary session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on the ‘Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan” held in Islamabad on 19 December 2021.
He emphasized the need to strengthen the AHTF by mobilizing more resources for the Fund.
On his part, Niaz highlighted that Pakistan played a leading role in collaborating in the initial response to the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan in 2021.
He also shed light on Pakistan-funded projects in Afghanistan including hospitals, scholarships, and infrastructure projects.
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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