ISLAMABAD: On Thursday, Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani urged the interim Afghan government to take “concrete and effective measures” against the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), emphasizing that the group was “causing significant tensions between the two nations.”
Speaking to TRT World on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Jilani expressed his concern about ongoing attacks in Pakistan originating from Afghanistan and urged Afghan authorities to honor their commitments to Pakistan and other nations.
He emphasized that Afghanistan had committed to preventing the use of its soil for attacks against other countries, but attacks by the TTP in Pakistan that originated in Afghanistan remained a significant concern.
Jilani highlighted the complex situation, stating that Pakistan desired a stable and prosperous Afghanistan, but the presence of numerous terrorist groups, including the TTP and ISIS-K, based in Afghanistan, posed a major concern not only for Pakistan but also for other regional countries.
He mentioned that Pakistan had engaged in dialogue with the Taliban government in Afghanistan and had conveyed to Kabul the importance of fulfilling their commitments to Pakistan and the international community, which included preventing Afghan soil from being used against other countries.
Economy
The foreign minister emphasized the interconnectedness of the economy with various aspects, such as the well-being of the people and a stable political environment. He expressed optimism that the government’s actions would result in both economic and political stability.
Furthermore, FM Jilani highlighted the promising future for the people of Pakistan due to the ongoing reforms being implemented in various sectors.
Fuel prices
He noted that the increasing fuel prices had led to inflationary pressures in the country and expressed the view that no government had the capacity to address this issue directly.
FM Jilani also acknowledged that fuel prices were influenced by international gas prices. He mentioned that as global gas prices decreased, the resulting benefits would eventually be transmitted to the people.
Foreign investment
Interim FM Jilani highlighted the strong cooperation between Pakistan and Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar, in various areas such as economics, defense, politics, and people-to-people interactions. He introduced the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), an initiative aimed at attracting global investments to Pakistan, with a focus on five key areas: agriculture, IT, and mining and minerals.
Jilani noted the significant interest from Gulf countries in investing in Pakistan’s energy and minerals sectors. He emphasized that Pakistan’s investment climate was favorable, and Gulf country representatives were expected to visit Pakistan soon to sign several MOUs, fostering a strong partnership between Pakistan and GCC nations.
Jilani also highlighted the emphasis on good governance and tackling issues like smuggling and corruption within Pakistan, creating a conducive atmosphere for fund managers and other stakeholders.
Other global issues and investment prospects
Interim FM Jilani reiterated Pakistan’s call for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war, emphasizing the global impact of the conflict on economies, fuel, and food supplies.
Regarding UN reforms, Jilani advocated for an enlargement of UN membership based on democratic criteria and a fair process.
He expressed concerns about India’s violations of UNSC resolutions, particularly on the Kashmir issue, and called for international attention to the human rights violations in the region.
Explaining Pakistan’s caretaker government, Jilani stated its role in ensuring free and fair elections following the end of a parliamentary term as mandated by the constitution.
