{"id":19988,"date":"2023-04-14T07:07:30","date_gmt":"2023-04-14T07:07:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/?p=19988"},"modified":"2023-04-15T03:20:29","modified_gmt":"2023-04-15T03:20:29","slug":"samarkand-meeting-on-afghanistan-collective-efforts-can-lead-to-common-goal-of-peace-for-prosperity-by-tazeen-akhtar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/samarkand-meeting-on-afghanistan-collective-efforts-can-lead-to-common-goal-of-peace-for-prosperity-by-tazeen-akhtar\/","title":{"rendered":"Samarkand Meeting on Afghanistan – Collective Efforts Can Lead to Common Goal of Peace for Prosperity-by- Tazeen Akhtar"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"Tazeen Akhtar \/ Islamabad<\/strong><\/em><\/h5>\n
Samarkand, the beautiful historical city of Uzbekistan hosted the foreign ministers of the Neighbouring Countries of Afghanistan on 13 April. It is fourth meeting of the group to seek the way forward to stability in Afghanistan.The group consists of the neighboring countries of Afghanistan that are directly affected for what happens in Afghanistan and matter of fact is something is always happening that disturbs the region and create problems in the way of peace, stability and most important the connectivity between South Asia, Central Asia and Eurasia.<\/strong><\/em><\/h5>\n
The FMs of the group have once again expressed their resolve to work closely and collectively in Samarkand meeting. Everyone is looking forward to their success for peace and prosperity.Pakistan\u00a0 supports all efforts to advance the shared objectives of a peaceful, stable, sovereign, prosperous and connected Afghanistan.<\/h5>\n
Samarkand hosted FMs of Pakistan, Iran, Russian Federation,China, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in the meeting. The consultations were led by respective Ministers.Acting Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, Mr. Bakhtiyar Saidov was the host of the meeting. Pakistan was represented by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms Hina Rabbani Khar. Foreign Minister of Russian Federation Mr. Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of China Mr. Qin Gang,Foreign Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran Mr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian ,Foreign Minister of Tajikistan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin,Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, Mr. Vepa Hajiyev attended the meeting.<\/h5>\n
The Neighbouring Countries of Afghanistan mechanism was established in 2021 on Pakistan\u2019s initiative with a view to evolving a regional approach on the situation in Afghanistan. Pakistan hosted the first meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Neighbouring Countries on 8 September 2021, and participated in the second meeting held in Tehran, Iran in November 2021, and the third meeting held in Tunxi, China in March 2022. The mechanism will contribute towards frging a consensus among the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan, who are the most direct stakeholders of the situation in Afghanistan.<\/em><\/span><\/h5>\n
Ms Hina Rabbani Khar underscored the importance for a coordinated regional approach to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan. She underlined that the great untapped potential for connectivity could harness unprecedented new opportunities for the region. The MOS underscored the importance of practical and constructive engagement with the Interim Afghan Government.<\/h5>\n
She expressed her deep gratitude to the Government of Uzbekistan, in particular to Acting Foreign Minister Bakhtiyar Saidov, for the generous hospitality and the immaculate arrangements made for this meeting. Here it is worth noting that the leadership of Uzbekistan, the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is the torch bearer of connectivity for the prosperity of the people of our regions. He is always volunteering to host and make arrangements for interactions between the countries for achievement of shared development.<\/h5>\n
Pakistani Minister very amicably summed up the goals to score saying, “The Neighbours format is grounded in the firm conviction that our region is not only bound by a shared past, but also a common future; our destinies are intertwined, our fortunes interlinked.Guided by these deep-rooted historical and cultural ties, it is but natural that we place such high premium on promoting regional approaches to the situation in Afghanistan.From Islamabad to Tehran, and from Tunxi to Samarkand, a common thread that weaves us together, is our collective commitment to work towards a peaceful, stable and interconnected Afghanistan.<\/h5>\n
The meeting mainly discussed how to save Afghanistan from Economic meltdown, Combat terrorism, Keep interim Kabul regime engaged, Emphasizing the World community not to close the doors for Afghanistan, Kabul to comply to the promises etc. The neighboring countries do have their apprehensions regarding how the things are unfolding in Afghanistan.<\/h5>\n
Kabul regime is still “interim” even after almost two years of controlling Afghanistan after Aug 2021. They have not fulfilled their promises to the world. They have not paved the way to set up a broad based representative government. They are returning to their strict regulations again including the prohibition of girls education and stop them from jobs.Terrorism and its export to neighboring countries is the most disturbing phenomenon for entire region. Unfortunately Taliban are totally failed to control and curb this menace. Contrary to the expectations of the neighbors , Taliban regime is directly or indirectly supporting the terrorists by not taking action against them or not disowning them. Pakistan is the main target of these terrorists. Pakistan is facing another wave of terrorism for last many months. TTP from Afghanistan is operating against Pakistan.<\/h5>\n
Ms Hina had separate meetings with all participating FMs at the sidelines and addressed the meeting as well. It is hoped that she has been successful in conveying Pakistan’s concerns especially regarding the security of our uniform personnel that are the main target from across the border with Afghanistan. Other than joint efforts on Afghanistan, matters of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation came under discussion. The projects of high importance to connectivity and cooperation between the respective countries were also remained in focus of the dialogue, for example Trans Afghan Railways with Uzbekistan and Electricity Transmission and Border Markets with Iran etc.<\/h5>\n

Pakistan Outlines 7 Points for Collective Efforts on Peace and Stability in Afghanistan<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n