Ashgabat- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called on the international community to urge Afghanistan to fulfil its international “obligations” and rein in terrorist outfits operating from its territory. He made the remarks while addressing an international forum marking the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, which global leaders, including heads of state from Russia, Türkiye, and Iran, are attending.
Noting the recent “scourge” of terrorism, the premier called on the international community and said, “We need the international community to urge the Afghan Taliban regime to fulfil its international obligations and commitments and rein in terrorists operating from its territory.”PM Shehbaz expressed gratitude to Qatar, Turkiye, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iran and the UAE for their “efforts” in brokering a ceasefire between Islamabad and Kabul.
The premier noted that while the ceasefire still stood, it remained “fragile.”He also underscored Pakistan’s commitment to “peaceful dispute resolution”, recalling its endorsement of the Gaza peace plan.“The UN Security Council’s (UNSC) adoption of UNSC resolution 2788 earlier this year was a strong endorsement of Pakistan’s vision for the peaceful settlement of disputes”.
PM Shehbaz hoped that the “ongoing peace efforts will ultimately protect and save the lives of innocent Palestinians, ensuring a lasting and permanent ceasefire, allow the flow of critical humanitarian aid and help in the reconstruction of Gaza.”He continued: “Pakistan has been and shall continue to support all efforts aimed at upholding the inalienable right to self-defence for the Palestinian people as well as the brave and resilient Kashmiri people.”
PM Shehbaz, who is currently in Turkmenistan on a two-day official visit, will hold meetings with global leaders on the sidelines of an international conference being hosted in Ashgabat, Radio Pakistan reported earlier today.
The report said that the premier will attend the forum marking the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025, the International Day of Neutrality, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. The report did not mention which leaders PM Shehbaz would be meeting. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are among those attending the gathering. The report also added that PM Shehbaz, and other leaders attending the international forum, also visited the Monument of Neutrality in Ashgabat earlier in the day, where a floral wreath laying ceremony was held.
A day earlier, PM Shehbaz had met Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and congratulated him on the 30th anniversary of Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan and on the UN designation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust.
