Pakistan has expressed “deep regret” over the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) president’s decision not to invite it on the Friday session on Afghanistan despite a request. In the meeting, the representative of Afghanistan had also leveled direct allegations on Pakistan which the latter rejected.

The president of the UNSC, a post currently held by India, had not accepted Pakistan’s request to participate in the meet, prompting Pakistan’s Foreign Office and its permanent ambassador to the UN to issue strong protest statements.

“It is a matter of deep regret that, as the closest neighbor of Afghanistan, whose contribution in the ongoing peace process has been recognized by the international community, Pakistan’s request to the president of the Security Council to address the council’s session and present its perspective on the Afghan peace process and the way forward was not acceded to,” Foreign Office said. 

Calling the allegations leveled against it by Afghanistan in the meet “baseless”, it rejected the allegations and said, “the council’s platform was made available to enable the peddling of a false narrative against Pakistan.” 

Pakistan also said, “We also urge the Government of Afghanistan, once again, to refrain from the blame game and engage with Pakistan in a meaningful manner to address the challenges to peace, security, and progress in the region.” 

The country said also there is no military solution in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as the most important neighbor of Afghanistan, shares the vision of peace through “negotiated settlement”.

Calling the Doha agreement, signed between the Taliban and the US in February 2020 as an “important milestone,” Pakistan reminded its “constructive efforts” in the deal.  

Historically, Islamabad has resented any peacee efforts in Afghanistan that exclude it or the one that includes India. On many occasions in the past it scuttled these efforts through its leverage over the Taliban.

Expressing concern at the reports of human rights violations, Pakistan also urged all sides to ensure full respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.

Islamabad called upon all warring sides in Afghanistan to eschew the military approach, engage constructively in negotiations, and work together to secure an inclusive, broad-based, and comprehensive political settlement.

“It is equally important to remain cognizant of spoilers, both within and outside, who do not wish to see the return of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region,” the statement added.

(SAM)