ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called on Wednesday for the international community to engage in preventing a humanitarian crisis and economic meltdown in Afghanistan, which were key priorities in the wake of recent developments in the country.
The minister’s remarks came during a virtual meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbors – China, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – to discuss developments in the country.
FM Qureshi emphasised that recent events had “catapulted” the region to a global spotlight, adding that “how the situation evolves will have profound implications for Afghanistan, our region and the world at large”.
“It is clear that no one could anticipate the recent turn of events from the meltdown of security forces to the collapse of the Afghanistan government,” he said, adding that all previous assessments and predictions had been proven wrong.
“In the wake of recent developments, the key priorities are to prevent a humanitarian crisis that can exasperate the suffering of the Afghans. Equally important is to take steps to prevent an economic meltdown in the country,” Qureshi added.
He emphasised that if a humanitarian crisis is prevented and economic stability assured then peace can be consolidated, and a mass exodus precluded.
FM Qureshi stressed that this required enhanced engagement of the international community, particularly at this “pivotal junction”.
“Renewed diplomatic and international presence in the country would reassure the Afghan people,” he stated, adding that urgent humanitarian assistance with the United Nations and its various agencies playing a lead role would reinforce the process of confidence-building.
Qureshi reiterated that “the much-dreaded bloodshed” had not occurred, while a protracted conflict and civil war had also been “averted”.
“The much-dreaded mass exodus of refugees had not yet taken place, thus far, and the situation remains complex and fluid,” he maintained.
FM Qureshi observed that everyone was grappling with a changed reality in Afghanistan, adding that the formation of a caretaker Afghan setup had been noted. He also expressed hope for swift political stabilization that would lead to normalcy.
