Islamabad, 2 May 2023 (TDI): The Chairman of the Pakistan National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, MNA Mohsin Dawar, met with the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, Jiri Kozak, and his delegation at Parliament House.
The delegation included the Czech Ambassador to Pakistan, Tomas Smetanka, Deputy Head of the Mission, Vaclay Dobes, and Commercial Counsellor of the Czech Republic Embassy in Islamabad, Vaclay Jilek.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the pressing global issues and the need for sustained parliamentary diplomacy and concerted action.
The discussion mainly focused on the Ukraine War, the situation in Afghanistan, and the influx of refugees in Europe and Pakistan. Kozak highlighted the plight of refugees in Europe in the aftermath of the Ukraine conflict.
He informed the delegation that the Czech Republic hosted the highest number of Ukrainian refugees in the world, and it was a daunting challenge to accommodate large waves of migration.
Dawar apprised the delegation on the intricacies of regional peace in the backdrop of the lingering conflict in Afghanistan.
He stressed the need for a proactive role of the international community to restore peace in Afghanistan and ensure the protection of Afghan citizens’ rights.
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Responding to the European challenge of Ukrainian refugees, Dawar stated that Pakistan also faced a massive influx of Afghan refugees due to political instability in Afghanistan.
He underlined the need for a clear refugees policy in Pakistan to ensure dignified treatment meted out to the refugees across the country.
Dawar emphasized that when a militant outfit continues to rule Afghanistan, peace in the region will be elusive.
The Afghan populace couldn’t conceive viable political alternatives in the absence of an organized political structure and opposition in the face of the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan.
Dawar regretted that the flawed Doha deal laid the foundation for the current predicament in Afghanistan.
He urged the need for a vibrant diplomatic role of the international community to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan. Both sides stressed the need to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges.
He stated that Pakistan attached immense importance to its relations with the Czech Republic.
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