Says US must delink rights issues from assistance: Stresses on inclusive govt to pave way for international aid
ISLAMABAD
Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for devising an immediate medium and long term strategy to address the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, warning any chaos there will not be in anybody’s interest.
Addressing the inaugural session of the 17th extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers on Sunday, the prime minister said that he is impressed with the Islamic Development Bank’s suggestions of medium and long term measures to help the Afghan people and make their economy sustainable.
The prime minister warned that Afghanistan is heading for chaos and the biggest man made crisis is unfolding there which needs immediate action on behalf of the international community especially the OIC, the United Nations, the United States and the European Union.
Highlighting the collapsing hospitals, education sector, and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the prime minister called for the world to take immediate action as Afghanistan is heading towards chaos. “Unless action is taken immediately, Afghanistan is heading for chaos. When it cannot pay salaries to public servants, doctors and nurses, any government is going to collapse. But chaos suits no one. It certainly does not suit the United States,” he added.
The prime minister said ironically, Pakistan had hosted the OIC moot on Afghanistan 41 years ago as no country suffered from conflicts as much as Afghanistan. He said the situation in Afghanistan is also caused by years of a corrupt government, suspension of foreign aid, freezing of foreign assets and a dysfunctional banking system which can lead to the collapse of any state.
The prime minister said, “The big responsibility rests with the OIC countries as it is our religious duty to help the Afghan people.” He said the United States must delink the issues of human rights from humanitarian assistance.
He said, “We are already late in extending help to the Afghan people as the harsh winter season has already set in.” He said this is also a country which has been affected by the breakout of Covid-19.
The prime minister said that the Taliban would also have to understand that formation of an inclusive government, respect for human rights, particularly women, and disallowing the use of Afghan soil for terrorism in other countries would pave the way for international aid to Afghanistan. The prime minister, however, asked the international community to be sensitive to the cultural traditions of Afghanistan as well as adjoining areas in Pakistan, particularly considering girls’ education. He said in case of violation of their traditions, the families would never send their girls to school even if incentivised, but they would willingly do it without any stipend if they feel satisfied.
The prime minister pointed out that forty years of conflict coupled with prolonged drought, years of corrupt governance, dried up foreign aid and freezing of the banking system has aggravated the situation in the country. He said any country in such a situation will collapse. He said such a situation will have serious consequences including mass exodus of refugees. He pointed out that Pakistan is already hosting millions of Afghan refugees and it cannot deal with more influx of refugees.
Imran Khan said the threat of terrorism from ISIL can only be tackled effectively through a stable government in Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan has faced terror attacks from the terrorist outfit. He said this organisation will continue to pose a serious threat if the Afghan government does not have the capability to fight it.
On Palestine and Kashmir issues, the prime minister said the people of these territories want to see a unified response from the Muslim world about their democratic and human rights.
Regarding Islamophobia, the prime minister said the OIC must play its role to help the world understand the teachings of Islam and Muslims’ love and affection for the last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
