Calls on Afghan regime to address Pakistan’s security concerns; Reiterates Pakistan’s call for peaceful dispute resolution
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif exchanges pleasantries with world leaders in Ashgabat. Photo: APP
ASKHABAT:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of global disputes, while urging the international community to pressure the Afghan Taliban to fulfill their international obligations and curb terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil.
“Pacific resolution of disputes is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign diplomacy. In the same spirit, Pakistan supported the Gaza Peace Plan and its subsequent endorsement by the UN Security Council,” the prime minister said in his speech at the international forum held in connection with the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025, the International Day of Neutrality and the anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.
The prime minister noted that Pakistan began the year by taking its place as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, where the country was striving to uphold global peace and security.
“As we persevere in this quest for peace, the scourge of terrorism is, however, raising its head once again, and this time, unfortunately, on Afghan soil,” he said, urging the international community to pressure the Afghan Taliban regime to fulfill its international obligations and commitments and control terrorist elements operating from its territory.
Meanwhile, he expressed his gratitude to the brotherly countries – Qatar, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran – for their sincere desire and efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire, “which, as I speak, is still very fragile.”
He said the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2788 earlier this year was a strong endorsement of Pakistan’s vision for peaceful resolution of disputes.
The prime minister hoped that, as part of the group of eight Islamic Arab countries, ongoing peace efforts in the Middle East would ultimately protect and save the lives of innocent Palestinians, ensuring a lasting and permanent ceasefire, allowing the flow of critical humanitarian aid, and assisting in the reconstruction of Gaza.
He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at upholding the inalienable right to self-determination of the Palestinian people as well as the brave and resilient people of Kashmir.
The prime minister noted that the quest for lasting peace was intrinsically linked to the path of sustainable development. In this sense, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development presents a universal plan for a better and peaceful world. The socioeconomic development and well-being of our people are the main priority of my government.
“We have made significant progress in several key areas, including advancing financial inclusion, bringing women and the marginalized into the economic mainstream,” he said, adding that in the face of global warming, Pakistan had demonstrated its strong commitment to adopting cleaner and greener solutions, transforming our landscape and setting a global example in ecosystem restoration. “However, like many developing nations, our quest for sustainable development faces headwinds from climate-induced disasters and inequalities in international economic relations.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan had in 2023 suffered devastating floods, faced loss of human lives and economic losses, and again this year faced catastrophic situations due to the devastations of climate change.
The prime minister added that climate change, poverty and inequality are not isolated challenges. These are transnational threats that demand international solutions based on shared responsibility and unity of purpose.
“Access to advanced technologies, especially digital ones, must also be equitable and without any type of discrimination,” he added.
He also called on world leaders to allow this forum to serve as a true call to action and urgent action for a new paradigm of international relations, where we move from a zero-sum mentality to purposeful cooperation.
“Let us invest in connectivity, not just as conduits for the transportation of goods, but as bridges for people, ideas and prosperity.”
Earlier, the Prime Minister congratulated the leaders of Turkmenistan on the 30th anniversary of its permanent neutrality and on the success of its initiative to designate 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust by the United Nations.
