Only broad-based govt to ensure lasting peace in Afghanistan: Sattar
app.com.pk
ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 (APP): Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said
on Saturday that only a broad-based government representing all
the ethnic groups would guarantee a lasting peace in Afghanistan.
"We are not against the Tajiks or Uzbeks but keeping in view
the history of Afghanistan, a stable government cannot be
established without participation of majority group, which are
Pushtoons", he said this while speaking in PTV programme "News
Night".
He said in the past, several government were set up in Kubal
but they could not endure due to lack of the support from all the
ethnic groups.
To a question, the Foreign Minister said ongoing military
campaign against Taliban is inflicting heavy losses to their
forces and it is fear that Taliban government might fall in the
north.
Sattar said after September 11 events, the miseries of
Afghans increased manifold and we are very grieved over it.
Out of 25 million Afghan population, about five million are
in the neighbouring countries while 7.5 millions need assistance
from humanitarian agencies and NGOs, he added.
The Foreign Minister said that after recognising Taliban
government, Pakistan found itself isolated in the world community
because it was the only country which had its diplomatic mission
in Kabul.
Now, Pakistan has changed its policy and become an important
partner of the international coalition which is fighting against
the terrorism, he added.
He said the Untied Nations and the entire Muslim world is
appreciating Pakistan's bold decision to stand with civilised
world against the menace of terrorism.
The Foreign Minister said that President of Turkey and
Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia would visit Pakistan in the next
weeks to express their support to our stance.
To a question, he said Pakistan did not changed its policy
to gain international financial support but to establish peace in
Afghanistan.
The US has lifted sanctions imposed on the country in wake
of detonation of atomic devices while the European countries have
opened their markets for Pakistani products, he added.
He said the country is facing a burden of about $ 38 billion
foreign debt, adding, we want decrease in debt as well as rate of
interest to come out of economic crisis.
The US Secretary of State Colin Powell, during his recent
visit to Pakistan, has announced that the America will extend an
enduring cooperation to Pakistan, he added.
President Pervez Musharraf, he said, sent his emissaries to
Kabul and Kandahar after September 11 to convince Taliban regime
to implement UN resolutions against terrorism but they did not
pay attention on the advice.
So, we told them that now Pakistan would not continue to
support their decision, he added.
To another question, Sattar said that recognising the
Taliban government does not mean that Pakistan supports their
policies.
He said Pakistan's policies regarding women are contrary to
that of Taliban regime who did not allow Afghan girls to attend
schools and kept their women inside homes.
"We also did not agree upon Taliban government decision to
wipe out statues in Bamian province," he added.
The Foreign Minister said Pakistan has been trying to have
normal relations with India.
President Musharraf has offered for the resumption of
dialogue to Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee on telephone.
"I myself have talked to my Indian counterpart Jaswant Singh
on telephone for start of dialogue on Kashmir issue and
normalisation of relations," he added. |
