Troika Plus 'crucial' to resolve Afghan issues, says PM

Premier meets special envoys of Troika Plus, urges global powers to unfreeze Afghanistan's assets

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan underscored the "crucial role" of Troika Plus -- a group of Pakistan, China, and the United States on Afghanistan -- on Friday in the resolution of the Afghanistan crisis.

The PM made these remarks during a meeting with the special envoys of the Troika Plus who called on him a day after their meeting in Islamabad on the Afghan issue.

During the meeting, the prime minister congratulated the special envoys for a "successful" moot in Islamabad, said a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Office.

Imran underlined the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan for the security and prosperity of the entire region, it said.

According to the statement, "The prime minister said he had consistently stressed that there was no military solution in Afghanistan. As such, Pakistan had all along supported an inclusive political settlement."

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The premier also underlined the importance of inclusivity, human rights and counter-terrorism operations in the wake of Kabul's takeover by the Taliban, the statement added.

He urged the international community to have a "pragmatic approach" for "constructive engagement" with Taliban-led Afghanistan so that mutual concerns could be addressed.

The PM laid a strong emphasis on the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance as well as economic support to Afghanistan to avert the twin challenges of humanitarian crisis and economic collapse, the statement added.

He hoped that the international community would recognise the gravity of the situation and take urgent measures, including the release of frozen assets to help alleviate the sufferings of the Afghan people.