British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab visited Pakistan to discuss how the UK and Pakistan can work closely together in Afghanistan
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab termed Pakistan “a vital UK partner” and discussed how the two countries can work closely together on the situation in Afghanistan.
He held meetings with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and was also scheduled to meet Chief of Army Staff General Bajwa.
The discussions focused on securing a safe passage for those leaving Afghanistan, combatting terrorism, the humanitarian situation and regional stability, among other issues.
Raab also visited the Torkham, an important crossing point, to assess the ground situation on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Speaking at a joint press briefing with the Pakistan Foreign Minister, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “The basis for the UK-Pakistan relationship is very strong – and the UK has the desire to take it to the next level. We also have a very clear and shared interest in the future of Afghanistan. We will judge the Taliban by their actions, not their words.”
The Foreign Secretary underlined the UK’s commitment to helping those fleeing Afghanistan, including by supporting neighboring countries.
The UK has announced a doubling of aid to Afghanistan to £286 million and has released the first tranche of £30 million of that to support Afghanistan’s regional neighbors, including Pakistan.
Dr Christian Turner CMG, the UK High Commissioner to Pakistan, said: “The Foreign Secretary’s visit to Pakistan today underlines just how vital the UK-Pakistan relationship is. We are committed to working closely together to help the people of Afghanistan and promote stability in the region.”
Pakistan has ‘realistic’ approach to Taliban, says Qureshi
Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Friday that Pakistan has a realistic approach towards the Taliban since the neighboring countries have to coexist with each other.
Qureshi’s statement came at a press conference in Islamabad, where he was accompanied by British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. The British Foreign Secretary is on a two-day visit to Pakistan.
Responding to a questioned about Pakistan’s relations with the Afghan Taliban that whether they would be “conditions-based,” Qureshi said,
“Some have the choice of getting up and leaving but we do not. We are neighbors [and] we have to coexist. Geography ties us together so our approach [to the Taliban] has to be somewhat different [and] realistic”.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan has numerous limitations when it comes to its relations with Afghanistan that “possibly you don’t have to.” Quoting an example he said that 20,000 to 25000 people cross the Pak-Afghan border every day.
“Can we block them? No, we can’t. Can we regulate them? Yes, we should. Are there any risks? Yes, there are organizations out there that don’t suit you or us or anyone. So we have to be careful with that too.” Minister for external affairs questioned.
“Most of Afghanistan’s trade passes through Pakistan, so can the latter close its border with Pakistan? Will this result in Pakistan contributing to any ensuing humanitarian crisis.”
Qureshi said that considering these challenges, the Pakistan government has already said Afghans will decide their future. Islamabad will accept any government in Kabul that has the support of the people of Afghanistan, he added.
“We want to help people because we feel they are suffering for decades and after 40 years there is a real opportunity for peace,” FM Qureshi said.
The foreign minister restated Pakistan’s stance that it has “no favorites” in Afghanistan.
Talking about Britain’s approach towards the Taliban, Dominic said,
“We do not recognize the Taliban as a form of government. […] But we see the importance of being able to negotiate and have a direct line of communication, because there are a whole range of issues that need to be discussed, including the question of safe passage for British citizens and Afghans”
Pointing to British evacuations from Afghanistan, the foreign secretary said that more than 15,000 people could not have been evacuated if there weren’t “at least some measure of constructive dialogue with the Taliban”.
He stressed that there was a need to bring stronger basic consensus and forge a wider group of countries that agreed on issues such as an inclusive government, safe outward passage, no terrorist safe havens, continuation of humanitarian lifelines, and a range of other issues.