No matter what we do, it’s never enough: FM

Qureshi regrets US’ failure to acknowledge Pakistan’s support in Afghanistan

NEW YORK:

Pakistan on Tuesday regretted that the US failed to acknowledge its support in facilitating the peace deal with the Taliban and smooth out its withdrawal from the war-torn country in awkward circumstances.

“No matter what we do, it’s never enough,” Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said during a press engagement arranged by the Foreign Press Association, on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

The briefing was moderated by the organisation’s president Ian Williams.

Asked if Washington was still pushing Pakistan to "do more", the FM lamented that instead of recognising Pakistan for its support, “fingers have been pointed at us", recalling that when the US wished to enter into negotiations with the Taliban, “Pakistan helped and brought them to the negotiating table”.

"When they wanted safe passage for [their] people to leave Afghanistan in safety -- we helped," he added.

The top diplomat said Pakistan was also willing to assist in the proposed distribution of humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan. “We are willing [to do so], we will be offering to help […] Pakistan can be that hub for the distribution of assistance.”

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“Tell us, what more can we do, that we have not [already] done,” Qureshi questioned. “For far too long — and believe you me, it is not helpful for someone who is trying to build a healthy bilateral relationship,” he said, underscoring Pakistan’s importance for the US.

"How many friends do they have in that region -- just look around and see -- only Pakistan has been supportive and helpful," the foreign minister said.

“If you keep pushing us into the corner, then a [time] will come when the people of Pakistan [will] feel that no matter what we do, it’s impossible to please them, as they keep changing the goalposts. And let that sink in. It wouldn’t be helpful for the relationship.”

Replying to a question about the nomination of the Taliban's Doha-based spokesman Suhail Shaheen as Afghanistan's ambassador to the UN, the foreign minister said the issue will be decided by the UN Credentials Committee, as the interim government in Kabul is yet to be recognised by the international community.

However, Qureshi pointed out that Ghulam Isaczai, appointed by the ousted Ghani regime and currently accredited by the UN, was not recognised by the new rulers in Kabul.

“Who is he representing? What kind of communication can you have with a person at the UN who is not recognised? It is a complex and evolving situation.”

During the briefing, he also urged the international community to engage with the Taliban to encourage progress towards a more inclusive government in Kabul.

While the Taliban should be held to their commitments on counter-terrorism, human rights, and political inclusivity, the immediate priority must be to help the Afghan people as they confronted a potential humanitarian crisis, he said.