Establishing peace in Afghanistan: Pakistan assures full support to world community

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Wednesday assured the international community that Pakistan would extend full support and co-operation to all initiatives aimed at establishing peace in Afghanistan as per the aspirations of Afghan people.
She was addressing Istanbul Regional Conference for Afghanistan entitled "Security and Co-operation in the heart of Asia" here jointly hosted by Turkey and Afghanistan and was attended by representatives from neighbouring countries of Afghanistan, international community and world organisations. The day long conference was inaugurated with the address of Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Hina Rabbani Khar in her address said the world community must commit itself to respect Afghanistan's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and reaffirm the principle of non-intervention and non-interference in its internal affairs. The Minister reminded the international community that Pakistan is the first country to gain and the first country to suffer due to happenings in Afghanistan.
She said, "Pakistan should be allowed to define its own national interests." The Foreign Minister reiterated that it is in Pakistan's interest to have a secure, stable and peaceful Afghanistan. She said the important thing is to forge serious and sincere security intelligence co-operation.
The Minister said, "We are happy that yesterday's trilateral summit hosted by Turkey put together a mechanism of co-operation to address the concerns of both Afghanistan and Pakistan." Khar reiterated Pakistan's support in Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process of peace and reconciliation.
She hoped that this process will be inclusive and lead to re-establishment of a socio-equilibrium that conforms to aspirations of Afghan people, their customs and traditions. The Foreign Minister hoped that the stability and peace in Afghanistan would enable over three million Afghan refugees being hosted by Pakistan for over three decades to return to their homes in safety and honour.
She said, "Pakistan also attaches considerable importance to various other valuable initiatives and processes at sub-regional levels to find a peaceful solution to the Afghan issue." She said these initiatives include trilateral process including Iran, quadrilateral including Tajikistan and Russia.
Hina Rabbani Khar said, "Pakistan also attaches key importance to trilateral process among Pakistan, Afghanistan and United States." She said that time has come to create the requisite synergy adding that the exiting regional organisations particularly ECO and SCO, can play an important role in giving tangible and pragmatic dimensions to shared interest of the stakeholders in the region.
The Foreign Minister said Pakistan will continue to endeavour to enhance its bilateral co-operation with Afghanistan. "It is our sincere effort to work together to realise the vision of peace and prosperity contained in Pakistan-Afghanistan declaration of directions of bilateral co-operation
Hina Rabbani Khar said Pakistan and Afghanistan had already signed transit trade agreement and Pakistan is also contributing towards capacity building of Afghan institutions. The Foreign Minister assured Afghan people of Pakistan's fullest support in their endeavour to overcome all challenges and secure for themselves a bright future of stability, peace, and prosperity.