Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions Lieutenat General (r) Abdul Qadir Baloch has said that Pakistan is seriously facilitating Afghan-led peace process for lasting harmony in Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s role in Heart of Asia and Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) has been vibrant in actively pursuing peace process. Speaking at a conference on ‘Evolving Situation in Afghanistan – role of major powers and regional countries’, Abdul Qadir Baloch said that Pakistan has been facing multidimensional challenges due to instability in Afghanistan and in the country as well.

Highlighting the endeavours made by Pakistan in this regard, the minister said, “Pakistani forces have done what 48 countries could not done as yet.” However, in doing so, he said, Pakistan has suffered a total loss of $107 billion and sacrificed more than 30,000 precious lives, besides hosting the millions of Afghan refugees owing to the porous border between the two countries, who are not willing to go back because of peace and economic turmoil there. He said that after 15 years of counter-terrorism operation, Afghanistan still remains vulnerable to terrorism. Moreover, repatriation of Afghan refugees in yet to be done, he added.

“Although the al Qaeda-led jihad has been considerably weakened in Afghanistan as they have shifted their focus towards Middle East, splinter groups have started emerging within Taliban, but still operation in Afghanistan in essential to eliminate extremist elements from there,” he maintained.

“Pakistan believes in stability in Afghanistan and stability in the country as well. Pakistan’s operation Zarb-e-Azb to root out terrorists and their sanctuaries in FATA is a success. However, it is imperative for the two nations to make coordinated efforts to fight terrorism.”

Furthermore, he said that stability in Afghanistan is necessary for economic development of both countries. The success of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) also depends, inter alia, on a stable security situation in Afghanistan as “a peaceful Afghanistan can ensure regional stability and economic integration”.

Ambassador (r) Aziz Ahmad Khan, senior journalist Rahimullah Yousafzai, Centre for Strategic and Regional Studies (CSRS) Kabul Director Dr Adul Baqi Amin, national and internationally renowned speakers also presented their views in the opening ceremony at the international conference.