Pakistan seeks ‘pathway’ for unfreezing Afghan assets

FO hails UNSC resolution as reflecting ‘sense of urgency’ to help people of war-torn country

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan has welcomed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution allowing humanitarian and other assistance for the people of Afghanistan, saying a pathway should be found to revive the war-torn country’s economy and unfreeze its assets.

“Pakistan welcomes the adoption, by consensus, of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2615, that has reaffirmed that the provision of humanitarian and other assistance to the people of Afghanistan is not a violation of the Security Council Sanctions regime,” the Foreign Office said in a statement a day after the UNSC unanimously passed a resolution moved by the United States.

The resolution passed on Wednesday stated: “Payment of funds, other financial assets or economic resources, and the provision of goods and services necessary to ensure the timely delivery of such assistance or to support such activities are permitted.”

Such assistance supports “basic human needs in Afghanistan” and is “not a violation” of sanctions imposed on entities linked to the Taliban, it added.

Also read: UNSC adopts resolution to ease Afghan aid

An earlier US resolution had sought to authorise case-by-case exemptions to sanctions but that was blocked by veto-wielding permanent Security Council members — China and Russia.

The Afghan Taliban also welcomed the resolution on Wednesday.

Pakistan said the resolution came at a critical time and reflected the sense of urgency felt by the international community to help the Afghan people, who have suffered immensely due to decades of conflict.

“This sentiment was also reflected in the resolution adopted unanimously by the 17th Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers hosted by Pakistan last week. The OIC CFM, chaired by Pakistan, unequivocally calls for swift roll-out of all possible humanitarian, recovery, reconstruction, development, technical and material assistance to Afghanistan,” the communiqué added.

It said the resolution passed by the UN Security Council was a step in the right direction towards helping the Afghan people in dire need.

“As called for by the OIC, pathways should now be found towards revitalising of the Afghan economy and unfreezing of the assets that rightfully belong to the Afghan people,” it stressed.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday said the UNSC resolution to provide aid to Afghan people and the US exemption to allow business with the Taliban were major developments, made after the recently-held OIC foreign ministers’ moot.

“Surely, this is a major breakthrough. I want to congratulate the Afghan people. Alhamdullilah, OIC’s session of the foreign ministers starts coming to fruition,” the foreign minister told media.

He also mentioned US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken’s tweet, wherein he appreciated Pakistan’s stance and also Saudi Arabia for convening the extraordinary meeting which would have positive outcomes.

Also read: Blinken lauds Pakistan for hosting OIC moot

“Following OIC session in Pakistan, welcome two important developments in support of Afghan people: UNSC resolution to provide aid to Afghanistan, supporting basic needs and the US exemption on US/UN officials doing permitted business with Taliban from US sanctions, to help ease aid flow,” the foreign minister said on Twitter.

The foreign minister said that the OIC session also succeeded in evolving consensus among the participants for appointing a special OIC envoy on Afghanistan humanitarian assistance, establishing a trust fund which also started receiving funds and launching a food security programme.

Qureshi said that he would also talk to the member countries to consider the option of establishing an air corridor or others to ensure an urgent supply of food.