Tehran, 26 October 2021 (TDI): Pakistan and Iran demanded financial aid for Afghanistan from the international community to prevent a humanitarian crisis.
Good to be in #Iran for second Ministerial meeting of neighbouring countries of Afghanistan. Met FM @Amirabdolahian & discussed urgent need to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan to stabilise eco situation. Bilaterally, we are committed to enhanced ties in all areas. pic.twitter.com/wHAhJHHqw1
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) October 26, 2021
Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Pakistan Foreign Minister along with Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Foreign Minister of Iran, stressed in a joint conference the importance of having an active international response to Afghanistan’s situation following the withdrawal.
Qureshi claimed that Afghanistan’s people deserve peace because they have been involved in the conflict for more than 4 decades, therefore, he appealed to the UN and EU for a quicker pace in humanitarian help to Afghanistan’s people.
“We, as a neighbor, would continue to stand alongside Afghanistan in difficult times,” he said.
When he met with Iran’s foreign minister, he stated that discussions were centered on bilateral relations and regional issues.
Moreover, he added, “Pakistan will keep moving forward because it understands how important our relationship is with Iran, and that both parties are happy about the recent collaboration in trade and defense.”
Furthermore, Hossein Amir Abdollahian stated that Iran was conducting security consults with Afghanistan’s interim Government and would keep in contact with all Afghan parties.
Additionally, Amir stated, “We closely monitor the developments in Afghanistan and we believe that the formation of an inclusive government with the participation of entire ethnicity of Afghanistan is the best political solution.”
By expediting the humanitarian aids from other countries into Afghanistan during cold spells, the refugee flows to neighboring countries would be reduced, and that Iran would use all of its borders with Afghanistan for humanitarian supplies, he added.
Besides this, FM Qureshi spoke out about Pakistan’s efforts in improving the regional approach to Afghanistan. He stated that his visits to Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Uzbekistan were the catalyst for the first meeting of the Afghan neighboring countries which was held on the 8th of September 2021.
Therefore, Qureshi stressed the need for close coordination among both countries and stated that joint efforts would achieve the shared goal of a peaceful Afghanistan.
In a bilateral context, Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthen bilateral relations across all regions as Pakistan considers Iran to be an important and close neighbor.
Whereas, Amir Abdollahian also reiterated Iran’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations across all areas and expressed optimism for Afghanistan’s future success in its efforts toward peace and prosperity.
Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, as well as Rahim Hayat Qureshi, Ambassador of Pakistan to Iran, and senior officials, accompanied the Foreign Minister.
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