FM Qureshi wants world to support Afghanistan, unfreeze assets

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi called upon the international community to support Afghans at a critical juncture through different steps, including unfreezing their assets, as according to him, there is still hope for peace in Afghanistan.

"Afghans have faced war in the last four decades so the international community should not leave Afghans alone now," said the foreign minister while interacting with the United Nations's press representatives.

"A peaceful Afghanistan will benefit the whole region. Pakistan wants peace and stability in Afghanistan because if the Afghanistan situation deteriorates, Pakistan will be [the] most affected."

Qureshi said Pakistan has been hosting more than three million Afghan refugees for the last four decades with limited resources and without financial support from the international community.

Pakistan's economy can no longer bear the burden of refugees, he added.

Qureshi said his country gave all-out support for the evacuation of citizens, diplomatic staff and media representatives of different countries from Afghanistan.

To address the growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Qureshi said the international community must move forward and take steps to ensure the support of Afghans.

The federal minister said Pakistan, like other neighbours, seeks a comprehensive coalition government in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan believes that the reconciliation process in Afghanistan cannot be completed without the formation of a government that has a representation of all political parties.

The initial statements made by Taliban leaders are encouraging, said Shah Mehmood Qureshi, adding that respecting international opinion and keeping its promises is in the best interest of the Taliban as they seek recognition by the world.

"I don't think anybody is in a rush to recognise them at this stage and the Taliban should keep an eye on that as they have to be more sensitive and more receptive to international opinion."

"In my opinion, unfreezing the frozen assets of Afghanistan for [the] Afghans may serve as a major step for confidence-building that could also incentivise positive behaviour," he said.

"On one hand, you're raising fresh funds to avert a crisis and on the other hand money that is theirs -- belongs to them -- they cannot use. I think freezing the assets is not helping the situation. I would strongly urge the powers that be that they should revisit that policy and think of an unfreeze."

The United States froze $9.5 billion in Afghan central bank assets and international lenders have stayed clear of Afghanistan, wary of providing money that could be used by the Taliban.

Qureshi said several positive aspects also emerged during the current transition in Afghanistan. The absence of bloodshed and civil war during this recent change is a positive aspect, he said, adding that the statements made by the Taliban regarding the end of the war, amnesty, respect for basic human rights and protection of women's rights are encouraging.

On Pakistan-India relations

The federal minister also highlighted the Imran Khan-led government's good intentions towards India. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan, after taking office, invited India to take one step towards peace which Pakistan will reciprocate with its two steps.

However instead of accepting the offer, India took unilateral and unconstitutional steps in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019, which further complicated the situation, the federal minister said.

"We want peace. Even today, India has an option. If it wants peace in the region, it should stop the ongoing atrocities on Kashmiris and reverse all unconstitutional measures of August 5," he said. He said voices are being heard today from within India against its Hindutva policies.

Pakistan seeks partnership in peace efforts in the region, he said.

Among those who met the foreign minister were representatives of The Associated Press Edith Lederer, AFP's Shaun Tandon, Al-Arabiya Al-Jadeed's Ibtisam Azem, Newsweek's Tom O’Conner, Bloomberg's David Wainer, Tass - Russian news agency's Vladimir Kostyrev, Nikki's Wajahat Khan and Kaori Yoshida, Anadolu News Agency's Betul Yuruk, and the Associated Press of Pakistan's Iftikhar Ali.

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FM Qureshi wants world to support Afghanistan, unfreeze assets

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi called upon the international community to support Afghans at a critical juncture through different steps, including unfreezing their assets, as according to him, there is still hope for peace in Afghanistan.

"Afghans have faced war in the last four decades so the international community should not leave Afghans alone now," said the foreign minister while interacting with the United Nations's press representatives.

"A peaceful Afghanistan will benefit the whole region. Pakistan wants peace and stability in Afghanistan because if the Afghanistan situation deteriorates, Pakistan will be [the] most affected."

Qureshi said Pakistan has been hosting more than three million Afghan refugees for the last four decades with limited resources and without financial support from the international community.

Pakistan's economy can no longer bear the burden of refugees, he added.

Qureshi said his country gave all-out support for the evacuation of citizens, diplomatic staff and media representatives of different countries from Afghanistan.

To address the growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Qureshi said the international community must move forward and take steps to ensure the support of Afghans.

The federal minister said Pakistan, like other neighbours, seeks a comprehensive coalition government in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan believes that the reconciliation process in Afghanistan cannot be completed without the formation of a government that has a representation of all political parties.

The initial statements made by Taliban leaders are encouraging, said Shah Mehmood Qureshi, adding that respecting international opinion and keeping its promises is in the best interest of the Taliban as they seek recognition by the world.

"I don't think anybody is in a rush to recognise them at this stage and the Taliban should keep an eye on that as they have to be more sensitive and more receptive to international opinion."

"In my opinion, unfreezing the frozen assets of Afghanistan for [the] Afghans may serve as a major step for confidence-building that could also incentivise positive behaviour," he said.

"On one hand, you're raising fresh funds to avert a crisis and on the other hand money that is theirs -- belongs to them -- they cannot use. I think freezing the assets is not helping the situation. I would strongly urge the powers that be that they should revisit that policy and think of an unfreeze."

The United States froze $9.5 billion in Afghan central bank assets and international lenders have stayed clear of Afghanistan, wary of providing money that could be used by the Taliban.

Qureshi said several positive aspects also emerged during the current transition in Afghanistan. The absence of bloodshed and civil war during this recent change is a positive aspect, he said, adding that the statements made by the Taliban regarding the end of the war, amnesty, respect for basic human rights and protection of women's rights are encouraging.

On Pakistan-India relations

The federal minister also highlighted the Imran Khan-led government's good intentions towards India. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan, after taking office, invited India to take one step towards peace which Pakistan will reciprocate with its two steps.

However instead of accepting the offer, India took unilateral and unconstitutional steps in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019, which further complicated the situation, the federal minister said.

"We want peace. Even today, India has an option. If it wants peace in the region, it should stop the ongoing atrocities on Kashmiris and reverse all unconstitutional measures of August 5," he said. He said voices are being heard today from within India against its Hindutva policies.

Pakistan seeks partnership in peace efforts in the region, he said.

Among those who met the foreign minister were representatives of The Associated Press Edith Lederer, AFP's Shaun Tandon, Al-Arabiya Al-Jadeed's Ibtisam Azem, Newsweek's Tom O’Conner, Bloomberg's David Wainer, Tass - Russian news agency's Vladimir Kostyrev, Nikki's Wajahat Khan and Kaori Yoshida, Anadolu News Agency's Betul Yuruk, and the Associated Press of Pakistan's Iftikhar Ali.

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Pakistan records 81 more corona deaths within a day

81 more people succumbed to the novel coronavirus while 1,897 new patients were reported across the country during the past 24 hours.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the nationwide death toll rose to 27,327 after 81 patients died of the virus.
A total of 46,231 samples were tested during this period, out of which 1,897 turned out to be positive, showing a national positivity rate of 4.1 per cent.

The NCOC data showed that there are a total of 4,846 active cases in the country.
On Sept 20, the NCOC allowed COVID vaccine jabs to be administered to breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women.

In fresh directives, the country’s top platform managing response to COVID-19 said that the COVID vaccine is safe and effective for breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women.

“The vaccine could be administered at any phase of the pregnancy,” it said adding that it does not affect issues pertaining to giving birth to a child in a mother.

 

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Pakistan records 81 more corona deaths within a day

81 more people succumbed to the novel coronavirus while 1,897 new patients were reported across the country during the past 24 hours.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the nationwide death toll rose to 27,327 after 81 patients died of the virus.
A total of 46,231 samples were tested during this period, out of which 1,897 turned out to be positive, showing a national positivity rate of 4.1 per cent.

The NCOC data showed that there are a total of 4,846 active cases in the country.
On Sept 20, the NCOC allowed COVID vaccine jabs to be administered to breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women.

In fresh directives, the country’s top platform managing response to COVID-19 said that the COVID vaccine is safe and effective for breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women.

“The vaccine could be administered at any phase of the pregnancy,” it said adding that it does not affect issues pertaining to giving birth to a child in a mother.

 

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England cancels Pakistan tour after New Zealand pulls out

The England Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday decided to cancel its tour to Pakistan days after New Zealand had pulled its team out at the last minute ahead of its series due to "security" concerns.

Expressing regret, ECB said, "we understand that this decision will be a significant disappointment to the PCB", who have worked tirelessly to host the return of international cricket in their country.

The ECB, however, said the "mental and physical well-being" of its players and support staff remains their highest priority, and this was even more critical given the times "we are currently living in".

England's men and women teams were due to play two Twenty20s in Rawalpindi on October 13 and 14. The women's team are also due to play three ODIs in Pakistan on October 17, 19, and 21.

The ECB said it had a "longstanding commitment" to tour Pakistan as part of the Men's Future Tours Programme in 2022, as it had agreed to play two additional T20 World Cup warm-up games in October, adding a short women's tour with double headers alongside the men's games.

"The ECB Board convened this weekend to discuss these extra England Women's and Men's games in Pakistan and we can confirm that the Board has reluctantly decided to withdraw both teams from the October trip," the board said in a statement.

"We know there are increasing concerns about travelling to the region and believe that going ahead will add further pressure to a playing group who have already coped with a long period of operating in restricted COVID environments," the statement added.

The ECB said there was an "added complexity" for its men's T20 squad, as it believes that touring under "these conditions" would not be ideal preparation for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where performing well remains a top priority for 2021.

The ECB acknowledged PCB's support over the last two summers, which it termed had been "a huge demonstration of friendship".

"We are sincerely sorry for the impact this will have on cricket in Pakistan and emphasise an ongoing commitment to our main touring plans there for 2022," it added.

The PCB was expecting the decision as it had scheduled the final of the National T20 Cup on October 13, the day England was to play the first match in Pakistan.

Responding to the development, PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said he was disappointed with England after the country's cricket board decided to back out of a scheduled October series.

"Disappointed with England, pulling out of their commitment & failing a member of their Cricket fraternity when it needed it most," the PCB chairman said in a tweet.

Not giving up hope, the newly-elected chairman said Pakistan would survive, as he mentioned that this was a wake-up call for the national team to become the best in the world so that other sides would line-up to play with them without making excuses.

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'He is speaking opposition's language': Swati on chief election commissioner

Railways Minister Azam Swati on Monday said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja was speaking the opposition's language to "mess around" with the government, which was standing its ground like an "iron wall".

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan, Swati said: "Today, you [the CEC] are speaking the opposition's language ... and messing around with the government. We are standing as an iron wall so stop us if you can."

He said the government had to swallow a "bitter pill" on the CEC's appointment to preserve the sanctity of this "constitutional institution", referring to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). "I don't want to and won't reveal how you [CEC] were appointed," Swati said.

"If we didn't respect the ECP, we would have never appointed you," he said, adding that the government confirmed his appointment to abide by the Constitution and protect the ECP's dignity despite knowing that he was allegedly close with the Sharifs.

Swati said the government only wanted uncontroversial, fair and free elections and a system which "future generations can't point fingers at".

He questioned why the CEC had made no progress on pilot programmes as ordered previously by the Supreme Court or the parliament through the Elections Act 2017.

"I again remind you Sikandar Sultan Raja sahab that only the one who accepts defeat, loses. Come and see whether the law and the Constitution are greater or your own being."

The railways minister continued to lash out at the CEC and asked him on "whose instructions are you destroying such a great institution".

"I, this nation and overseas Pakistanis want to ask you this."

Regarding the notice sent to him by the ECP for his tirade against the institution, Swati questioned how many such similar notices had been sent to other political leaders from the opposition.

Responding to a question on whether the government was ready to sit down with the ECP, Swati clarified: "We don't have a quarrel with the ECP but with Raja Sultan."

According to the railways minister, the entire purpose of the press conference was to send this message: "Raja sahab you cannot violate the law or the Constitution [...] When the parliament passes its voice through a law then under the leadership of [Prime Minister] Imran Khan, we will [bring] a fantastic [electoral] system.

"You will buy the [electronic voting] machines and you will also do work. We will go to the Supreme Court if we need to."

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'He is speaking opposition's language': Swati on chief election commissioner

Railways Minister Azam Swati on Monday said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja was speaking the opposition's language to "mess around" with the government, which was standing its ground like an "iron wall".

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan, Swati said: "Today, you [the CEC] are speaking the opposition's language ... and messing around with the government. We are standing as an iron wall so stop us if you can."

He said the government had to swallow a "bitter pill" on the CEC's appointment to preserve the sanctity of this "constitutional institution", referring to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). "I don't want to and won't reveal how you [CEC] were appointed," Swati said.

"If we didn't respect the ECP, we would have never appointed you," he said, adding that the government confirmed his appointment to abide by the Constitution and protect the ECP's dignity despite knowing that he was allegedly close with the Sharifs.

Swati said the government only wanted uncontroversial, fair and free elections and a system which "future generations can't point fingers at".

He questioned why the CEC had made no progress on pilot programmes as ordered previously by the Supreme Court or the parliament through the Elections Act 2017.

"I again remind you Sikandar Sultan Raja sahab that only the one who accepts defeat, loses. Come and see whether the law and the Constitution are greater or your own being."

The railways minister continued to lash out at the CEC and asked him on "whose instructions are you destroying such a great institution".

"I, this nation and overseas Pakistanis want to ask you this."

Regarding the notice sent to him by the ECP for his tirade against the institution, Swati questioned how many such similar notices had been sent to other political leaders from the opposition.

Responding to a question on whether the government was ready to sit down with the ECP, Swati clarified: "We don't have a quarrel with the ECP but with Raja Sultan."

According to the railways minister, the entire purpose of the press conference was to send this message: "Raja sahab you cannot violate the law or the Constitution [...] When the parliament passes its voice through a law then under the leadership of [Prime Minister] Imran Khan, we will [bring] a fantastic [electoral] system.

"You will buy the [electronic voting] machines and you will also do work. We will go to the Supreme Court if we need to."

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