Pakistan today opposed what it termed discriminatory sanctions on Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia and feared that it will undermine the UN's peace efforts and add to the miseries of the local people. Sanctions will undermine the efforts of the UN, especially of Francesc Vendrell (UN special envoy to Afghanistan). “It is not only our concern but it is the concern of all those who yearn for peace,” Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar informed on Tuesday.
“Our fears have been borne out by the reports of several international humanitarian agencies, which have stated that these sanctions have stifled economic activity in Afghanistan. New sanctions will compound misery of the Afghan people,” he said.
Millions of innocent Afghans, already stricken by famine conditions due to prolonged drought, will be exposed to starvation as UN aid agencies and Non-Governmental Relief Organisations withdraw their personnel from Afghanistan.
The minister said Pakistan will examine the specifics of the US-Russian resolution against Taliban and its requirements from Islamabad. On the arms embargo on Taliban, Sattar said it would be discrimination if the arms embargo is imposed only on Taliban. It will encourage anti-Taliban forces and will prolong war in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan will support a resolution that prohibits supply of arms and ammunition to all warring sides.
Sattar also said that the collapse of the international safety net in Afghanistan is forcing displacement and migration of innocent people. Bureau Report