Meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi
The Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. Emomali Rahmon has received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mr. Shah Mahmoud Qureshi.
During the meeting a wide range of issues related to the development and further enhancement of bilateral cooperation in various areas of mutual interest has been discussed. The parties have also touched upon the preparation process of the upcoming official visit of Mr. Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Tajikistan.
The parties have paid special attention to the vital issues on the international and regional agenda, in particular the current situation in Afghanistan. Today, one of the major threats to the regional security is the current situation in Afghanistan, which is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe as a result of the withdrawal of coalition forces.
The complicated and threatening situation that has been developing in this country in recent days should not be perceived as the problem of the Afghan people alone but as the most pressing regional and global matter of the day.
Taliban’s rise to power has further aggravated the regional geopolitical processes. It is clearly evident that Taliban are breaking their previous promises to form an interim government with the broad participation of other political forces in the country and are preparing to establish an Islamic Emirate. Tajikistan strongly condemns all forms of lawlessness, murder, looting, and persecution of the Afghan people, especially Tajiks, Uzbeks, and other national minorities.
The President of Tajikistan has particularly noted that long-suffering Afghanistan, our brotherly and friendly nation, should not be dragged back into the whirlpool of bloody imposed war ever again. As a close neighbor, Tajikistan has always been supporting the restoration of lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and remains committed to this position.
In order to urgently address the political and security problems in the neighboring country, it is necessary to establish an inclusive government with the participation of all national minorities, especially Tajiks who make up more than 46% of the population in Afghanistan. The state structure in Afghanistan should be determined by a referendum and, in this process, the interests of all citizens of the country should be taken into account.
Tajikistan will not recognize any other government formed by oppression and prosecution, and without taking into consideration the interests of all Afghan peoples, especially the minorities. To this end, the Tajiks should have a worthy and well-deserved place in the future government of Afghanistan.
Tajikistan calls upon the international community to take urgent measures to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan, as well as to contribute to the stabilization of the complicated political and security situation through negotiations as soon as possible. Further indifference of the international community to the current situation in Afghanistan could lead to a protracted civil war.
Tajikistan is committed to restoring peace, stability and security in neighboring Afghanistan as soon as possible. We believe that the United Nations should play a key role in advancing this process.
Based on Tajikistan’s experience in peace-building and strengthening the national unity, President Rahmon has conveyed constructive proposals to the Pakistani side for ensuring peace, stability, and further sustainable development in the neighboring country.
