Pakistan, China Seek End To Unilateral Sanctions On Afghanistan
NEW DELHI, May 9 (Bernama) -- Pakistan and China have demanded an end to unilateral sanctions on Afghanistan and called on the world community to engage constructively with the interim Afghan government.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Afghanistan acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said their countries have agreed to work closely to promote regional stability and economic integration.
"The three sides urged the relevant countries (to) lift their unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan and return the assets overseas for the benefit of the Afghan people, and create opportunities for economic development and prosperity in Afghanistan," according to a joint statement on Monday following their meeting in Islamabad on Saturday.
Billions of dollars of Afghan assets remain frozen abroad, especially in the United States, since the Taliban took power in Kabul in August 2021.
"The ministers called upon the international community to engage constructively with the Afghan side," the joint statement said.
It highlighted trilateral cooperation in promoting connectivity and supported various planned regional projects.
"The three sides reaffirmed their resolve to fully harness Afghanistan's potential as a hub for regional connectivity," the statement said.
They stressed further cooperation under China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and agreed to jointly extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan.
The countries said existing projects, including CASA-1000, TAPI, and Trans-Afghan Railways, would enhance regional connectivity as well as ensure economic prosperity.
The CASA-1000 project would allow hydropower-rich Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to sell surplus electricity to Pakistan and Afghanistan in the summer months, while the 1,840-km TAPI pipeline would carry natural gas from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.
The Trans-Afghan Railways project involves Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan and would link Central Asia to the Arabian Sea.
The foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Pakistan and China sought further measures to grow the movement of people and trade activities.
"The three sides agreed to enhance transit trade through Gwadar Port," the statement said, referring to the mega sea trade hub in southern Pakistan.
They also agreed to boost cooperation in tackling security threats, militancy, organised crime and drug smuggling.
