requests the Afghan government 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
ASHGABAT:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful settlement of global disputes while urging the international community to pressure the Afghan Taliban to abide by their international obligations and curb terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil.
“Peaceful resolution of disputes is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign diplomacy. It is in the same spirit that Pakistan supported the Gaza Peace Plan and its subsequent approval by the UN Security Council,” the prime minister said in his address to the international forum held in conjunction with the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025, the International Day of Neutrality for the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan, and the Permanent Neutrality Day.
The Prime Minister pointed out that Pakistan began the year by taking its seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, where the country strove to maintain global peace and security.
“However, as we continue in this quest for peace, the scourge of terrorism is rising once again, and this time unfortunately on Afghan soil,” he said, calling on the international community to pressure the Afghan Taliban regime to meet its international obligations and commitments and rein in terrorist elements operating from its territory.
Meanwhile, he expressed gratitude to the brotherly countries – Qatar, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, UAE 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 United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2788 earlier this year was a strong endorsement of Pakistan’s vision for peaceful settlement of disputes.
The Prime Minister hoped that the ongoing peace effort in the Middle East as part of the Group of Eight Arab Islamic countries will ultimately protect and save the lives of innocent Palestinians, ensure a lasting and permanent ceasefire, allow the flow of critical humanitarian aid and assist in the reconstruction of Gaza.
He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to support all efforts aimed at upholding the inalienable right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, as well as of the courageous and resilient Kashmiri people.
The Prime Minister noted that the pursuit of lasting peace was inextricably linked to the path to sustainable development. In this regard, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development presents a universal plan for a better and more peaceful world. Socio-economic development and the welfare of our people is my government’s highest priority.
“We have made significant progress in several key areas, including promoting 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 undertake cleaner and greener solutions, transform our landscape and set a global example in ecosystem restoration. “However, like many developing countries, our quest for sustainable development is up against climate-induced disasters and inequalities in international economic relations.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that in 2023, Pakistan had suffered devastating floods, faced loss of life and economic losses, and then again this year faced catastrophic situations due to ravages of climate change.
The Prime Minister added that climate change, poverty and inequality were not isolated challenges. These are transnational threats that require international solutions built on the foundations of shared responsibility and unity of purpose.
“Access to advanced technologies, especially digital technologies, must also be fair and without any form of discrimination,” he added.
He also appealed to global leaders to let this forum serve as a genuine call to action and urgent action for a new paradigm of international relations where we move from zero-sum thinking to purposeful cooperation.
“Let’s invest in connectivity, not just as conduits for transporting goods, but as bridges for people, ideas and prosperity.”
Earlier, the prime minister paid tribute to Turkmenistan’s leadership on the 30th anniversary of its permanent neutrality and the success of its initiative to designate 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust by the United Nations.
