‘Afghans must not be abandoned’
Qureshi draws attention towards refugees in Pakistan and other countries
Pakistan has called upon the international community to meet the humanitarian needs of the Afghan population, urging that “Afghan people must not be abandoned.”
In a virtual address at the UN conference on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi stressed to step up efforts as “the situation is becoming dire for around 18 million people of Afghanistan – directly in need of humanitarian assistance.” He warned that “a sluggish response from the international community can cause grave humanitarian consequences.”
The situation is becoming dire for around 18 million people of Afghanistan – directly in need of humanitarian assistance.”
Global action
Pakistan’s foreign minister also called for attention and global action towards the Afghan refugees. “We must not forget millions of Afghans in large refugee-hosting countries, for whom the international support has dwindled over the years” he appealed. This support is in line with the principle of international responsibility and burden sharing, host communities must be supported especially during these challenging times of Covid-19, he said.
He said that joint efforts are needed to ensure to basic necessities such as food, health and education for the Afghan people. He called for solidarity with the Afghan people at this pivotal juncture, both in terms of financial and political support. Foreign Minister Qureshi said that “ensuring sustainable development and promoting respect for human rights requires political stability and peace in Afghanistan. And peace cannot consolidate unless Afghanistan is provided the necessary economic and fiscal space.”
Shah Mahmood Qureshi | Pakistan FM