The Afghan interim government has made a fresh commitment both with Pakistan and China that it would not allow any individual, group or party, including the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan to use its territory against the neighbouring countries.
A joint statement issued here after the 5th trilateral meeting attended by foreign ministers from Pakistan, China and Afghanistan said the three sides stressed on the need of not allowing any individual, group or party, including the TTP and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement among others to use their territories to harm and threaten regional security and interests, or conduct terrorist actions and activities.
The trilateral meeting was held on May 6 but the joint statement was issued on Monday by the foreign office.
“We do not want any bloodshed and unrest on the land of Pakistan,” he maintained, adding that the two neighbouring countries face serious security and political challenges.
Pakistan has refused to speak to the TTP since the terrorist group stepped up attacks. Instead it has been pressing the Afghan government to tackle the TTP and its affiliates.
Meanwhile, in a joint statement Pakistan, Afghanistan and China have stressed that a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan serves the common interest of the region.
“The three sides resolved to further deepen and expand their cooperation in the security, development and political domains based on the principles of mutual respect, equal-footed consultation and mutual benefit,” it added.
The three sides underscored the need to tackle security challenges posing a serious threat to regional and global security, and directly impacting the stability and economic prosperity of the entire region.
The three sides agreed to coordinate and cooperate on security, organised crimes, and drugs smuggling among others and called on the international community to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and provide necessary supplies, equipment and technical assistance in this regard to the relevant countries.
All three sides underscored the need to refrain from intervening into internal affairs of Afghanistan, and to promote Afghan peace, stability and reconstruction.
Underscoring the imperative to generate economic activity within Afghanistan, the ministers stressed the importance of exploring realistic pathways towards the revival of the Afghan economy. To this end, the ministers agreed to consider further supporting the reconstruction of Afghanistan and exploring trilateral investment possibilities aimed at industrialisation and job creation.
