Washington
Ambassador of Pakistan to United States, Dr Asad Majeed Khan has said that a broad-based and long-term relationship between Pakistan and the United States are vital for bilateral and regional interests especially in a post-war situation in Afghanistan.
Ambassador Asad Majeed was hosted by the University of Pennsylvania on Thursday at International Relations Colloquium for a hybrid discussion on the future of the Pakistan-United States relationship following the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan.
The event was first series of talks on the situation in Afghanistan being organized at the Perry World House here.
The ambassador said that a rich history of working together, natural cultural affinity, and a dynamic Pakistani American community would continue to reinforce and deepen Pakistan-U.S. ties in the future.
When asked about the recent developments in Afghanistan, he stressed that Pakistan and the United States had a fundamental convergence on achieving a politically inclusive state in Afghanistan.
Asad Majeed said a stable and broad-based government in Afghanistan could ensure that Afghan territory would never be exploited by transnational terrorist groups again.
He highlighted that Pakistan had joined the international community in urging the Taliban to uphold their commitments on guaranteeing safe passage to those who wish to leave Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, protection of human rights, and forming a more inclusive government.
Ambassador Asad said that Afghanistan faced an “inflection point” in the form of a rapidly worsening humanitarian situation. He hoped that the world would not repeat the mistake of disengaging from Afghanistan.
The international community must assist Afghanistan in averting more instability, chaos and a mass migration, which would impact not only its neighbors but countries farther afield.
The talk was followed by a detailed question and answers session where the students engaged with the ambassador. The event was live streamed on social media platforms.—INP
