President Mamnoon Hussain said on Monday that Pakistan will continue to support all initiatives aimed at moving forward the peace process in Afghanistan.
Addressing the launching ceremony of book ‘Afghanistan 2014 The Decision Point’ in Islamabad‚ he stressed that all segments of Afghan society should be part of the solution and reap the fruit of peace.
He said Pakistan stands for a peaceful‚ stable‚ united and prosperous Afghanistan. We have consistently maintained that the solution of Afghanistan lies with in Afghanistan and that it must be achieved through an inclusive afghan led and afghan owned reconciliation process.
Mamnoon Hussain pointed out that the year 2014 is indeed a crucial point in the history of Afghanistan and the region. Being the immediate neighbor‚ Pakistan’s security is linked in multiple ways with security in Afghanistan. Since 9/11 Pakistan has incurred enormous human and material losses.
Regretting non-recognition of Pakistan’s commitment in the war against terror at the international level‚ Mamnoon Hussain said the reality is that living aside Afghanistan‚ there is no other country in the world that has paid a higher price than Pakistan.
Referring to the challenges of peace and stability in the region‚ the President called upon the international community to help Afghanistan address issues related to drug and small arms trafficking besides institutional capacity building. It is also important to help build up conducive environment in the country for the honorable return of Afghanistan refugees and their reintegration.
The President hoped that the international community would recognise Pakistan’s positive contributions and the importance of working with Pakistan to meet the regional security challenges. He said both Pakistan and the international community should work together to help Afghanistan reclaim its rightful place in the comity of nations.
Turning to the drone attacks‚ Mamnoon Hussain said these must stop as they are counterproductive to the existing counter terrorism drive in Pakistan.
Appreciating the member countries of European Union for their continued support to Pakistan in getting GSP plus status‚ the President said this would help our economy recover the huge losses caused by the war against terrorism.