General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), said on Monday that Pakistan remained dedicated to working with its foreign partners for regional peace, according to a military release.
The army chief voiced these views during a meeting with Yerzhan Kistafin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, at GHQ today, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
According to the ISPR, topics of mutual interest, regional security, and collaboration in numerous domains were covered during the meeting. The COAS expressed the expectation that Kazakhstan’s law and order situation will be restored shortly.
General Qamar emphasised the importance of earnest international efforts to avert a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. He stated that Pakistan is still committed to working with its international allies for regional peace.
According to the statement, the visiting dignitary praised Pakistan’s contributions to regional stability and committed to continue to deepen diplomatic ties with Pakistan at all levels.
The army chief’s declaration comes only days after Prime Minister Imran Khan said, while chairing the third meeting of the Apex Committee on Afghanistan, that Pakistan is “determined to offer all-out support to the Afghan people to avert a humanitarian crisis.”
He went on to say, “We applaud the United Nations (UN) plea for aid to Afghanistan.”
The committee underlined its concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan once again, promising that Pakistan will not abandon Afghans in their hour of need.
It reaffirmed its need for aid from the international community and relief organisations at this critical juncture in order to avoid economic collapse and save lives in Afghanistan.
The prime minister urged the relevant authorities to pursue bilateral collaboration with friendly nations as well as exporting competent and trained workers, particularly in medical, IT, finance, and accounting, to help Afghanistan avoid a humanitarian crisis.
While appreciating the Pakistani government’s proposal, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai remarked on Saturday that “there is no need for it.”
“Afghanistan has no need for a foreign labour,” Karzai said on his official Twitter account.
“Hamid Karzai appreciates Prime Minister Imran Khan’s suggestion to bring foreign manpower to Afghanistan, particularly Pakistani workforce,” the statement stated.
The former president also urged the Taliban’s caretaker government in Kabul to promote work opportunities, claiming that employing the youth will help Afghan refugees and professionals return home from exile.
