German Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Cyrill Nunn has said that goal of restoration of durable peace in Afghanistan could not be achieved without help of Pakistan. He was talking to media after launching ceremony of water conservation and agricultural management, a joint project of Germany and local non-governmental organisation Taraqi Foundation, here on Monday night.
Honorary Counsel General of Germany and France, Brigadier Razzaq Baloch (Retd) was also present. The German ambassador said, "Pakistan has great influence in Afghanistan and without its help; goals of peace and stability in Afghanistan could not be achieved."
Dr Cyrill Nunn said that Pakistan is a natural corridor for Afghan trade and without establishing good relations with Pakistan; Afghanistan could not obtain progress and prosperity. "Pakistan is hosting millions of Afghan refugees who migrated due to volatile situation of their country. Germany is aware of financial constraints and other problems of Pakistan caused by huge influx of Afghan refugees," he said, and adding that therefore, Germany urged the world community to extend their assistance to Pakistan to deal with issues pertaining to hosting Afghan refugees.
He said that Pakistan would get significant benefits from Pak-Iran gas pipeline project if Iran is freed of international sanctions. "A NLG Terminal will be built in Gwadar and then Pak-Iran gas pipeline would also reach other parts of the country which would greatly help in boosting Pakistan's national economy," he said.
He said that Balochistan has great potential of natural resources including Rekodeq which provided an environment of investment to foreign investor companies. In reply to a question asked by APP, he said that Germany has no combat mission in Afghanistan, adding that however, German soldiers would remain in Afghanistan to give professional training to Afghan army and police. He said there was potential of investment in pharmaceutical sector in Quetta and medicines manufactured in the provincial capital could be exported to African countries.
He said that Germany has mutual trade with Pakistan which is exporting textile and leather products, footballs and other goods to Germany. He said that Germany is financially supporting several projects in Balochistan including Afghan refugees hosting areas project, water conservation and agricultural management, health and education. Speaking to the participants of the ceremony, Federal Minister for SAFRON, Lieutenant General Abdul Qadir Baloch (Retd) said that Pakistan suffered a lot after millions of refugees migrated to the country from Afghanistan.
He said that presently, both Pakistan and Afghanistan are facing menace of terrorism. He regretted that international stakeholders and donors have not extended remarkable financial assistance to Pakistan to deal with issue of Afghan refugees. Provincial Minister for Information, Abdul Raheem Ziaratwal said that huge influx of Afghan refugees caused deforestation and other problems in the province. Chief Executive, Taraqi Foundation, Amjad Rasheed said that his organisation has launched water conservation and agricultural management project in Zhob in collaboration with Germany. Advisor to Chief Minister on Forests and Wildlife, Obaidullah Babat and Member Balochistan Assembly, Samina Khan were also attended the ceremony.
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