ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has stepped up its efforts through consultations with the regional capitals for forging “united position” in the region on terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, rapidly deteriorating human right’s situation and presence of at least twenty outlawed terror groups on Afghan soil belonging to different countries. India is the only country that is not interested to be part of it.
Special Representative of Pakistan on Afghanistan, as Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM), with status of State Minister Muhammad Sadiq Khan, is leaving for Iran tomorrow (Saturday) for his whirlwind visit of the regional capitals. Senior officials concerned will accompany Khan as they will travel by a special plane. Highly placed diplomatic sources told The News here Thursday that the consultations have added significance since they are taking place before the QUAD on Afghanistan meeting slated in first week of October in Russian capital where Pakistan, China, Iran and Russia will put their heads together to discuss situation regarding Afghanistan.
The Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan would be held immediately after that. The Moscow Format is a platform that brings together Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, India, and Central Asian countries to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
It has consistently sought to address regional security concerns. The senior officials from these counties participate in the meeting. Muhammad Sadiq Khan will lead Pakistan’s delegation in both the processes. The QUAD will take place on October 6 while Moscow Format would commence on the following day.
The Taliban administration has designated its interim Foreign Minister Mulla Amir Muttaqi to represent Afghanistan for the Moscow Format, but he is under the United Nations restrictions on international traveling due to his implication in terror activities. The sources pointed out that Russia is trying hard to arrange UN permission of travelling for him to reach Moscow.
The sources reminded that the engagements have conspicuous significance in the wake of “New US Policy on Afghanistan” likely to be announced anytime soon. The policy was supposed to figure in White House Thursday meeting between visiting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Muneer and President Donald Trump.
It is understood that the US Policy would permit “business as usual” since it would have serious impact on the affairs related to the developments in Afghanistan. It would be merit to mention here that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar while addressing the first meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York has proposed a working group of OIC experts to chart a roadmap for Afghanistan’s stability and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan terming it as a brotherly country. DPM Dar voiced grave concern over terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, warning that they threaten regional peace and security. He urged the Afghan authorities to take concrete and verifiable action against cross-border terrorism.