News
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Pakistan urges world not to interfere in Afghan affairs
UNITED NATIONS: While reaffirming its commitment to strengthening its friendly ties with Afghanistan, Pakistan on Friday urged the international community to stay engaged in the war-torn country without interfering in the country’s internal affairs.
“Long-term objectives of peace, stability and development in Afghanistan can only be realised by respecting its sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity,” Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon told the UN Security Council. At the same time, peace and economic development was contingent upon a stable (Afghan) government, enjoying support of the majority people, he said.
Participating in a debate at the 15-nation council on the Afghan situation, Haroon said the communiqué issued by a peace jirga last month was an enabling document to formulate a national strategy for sustainable peace.
He supported local ownership of the challenges faced by Afghanistan and the momentum for dialogue and peace generated by the jirga.
Ambassador Haroon said the forthcoming parliamentary elections would also go a long way towards strengthening democracy, democratic institutions, as well as the governance in Afghanistan.
The major challenge in Afghanistan has been insecurity driven by insurgency and its exploitation by criminals and drug traffickers.
The latest report by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon noted that no great improvement in that area had occurred over the last three months.
“That is regrettable, but disappointments or stereotyping the conflict situation can breed complacency and must be avoided,” Ambassador Haroon said. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk