LONDON, Jan 31: Pakistan on Tuesday welcomed the joint initiative of the United Kingdom, Afghanistan and the United Nations for the ‘Afghanistan Compact’ development plan at the London Conference as UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan pointed out that recent attacks had been a reminder that the country’s peace was fragile.
Addressing delegates from more than 50 countries and international bodies, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said Pakistan welcomed the Afghanistan Compact and pledged $50 million for the neighbouring country’s reconstruction.
He said the amount would be made available as soon as the $200 million already pledged by Pakistan were exhausted.
Urging the international community to support rebuilding of the state and development activities in Afghanistan, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said it was time for committed action.
He said recent attacks in Afghanistan were a reminder that the country’s peace was fragile and that Afghanistan remained in an insecure environment of terrorism, extremist violence and the illicit and corrupting narcotics industry.
Mr Annan said: “It is in the interest of the entire international community to provide assistance as the country consolidates its moves towards peace, democracy and, above all, security, which underpins advancement on every other front.”
He called on Afghanistan’s leaders at all levels to deliver on their end and said the long-term stability of the state and the credibility of its government depended on it.
Mr Kasuri said the Afghanistan Compact showed the way forward as the Afghan government committed itself to goals in security and governance, economic and social development as well as counter-narcotics. He said the compact set out benchmarks and timelines to achieve the goals and reforms proposed in judicial and administrative institutions were most appropriate.
Pakistan continued to host 2.6 million Afghan refugees, who could contribute to Afghanistan’s development, he said.
“There is need for the international community to facilitate their return, particularly by increasing Afghanistan’s absorptive capacity,” he said.
Mr Kasuri welcomed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s expanded role in Afghanistan and said restoration of peace and stability were central to development in the country. He said Pakistan believed that broadening of international responsibility, without loss of military capability, would have the desired stabilizing effect.
He said Pakistan remained committed to the fight against terrorism and would continue to extend full cooperation to Afghanistan in this regard bilaterally as well as in the tripartite commission, which includes the United States.
Mr Kasuri said the Kabul conference on regional economic cooperation was a useful initiative and called for early follow up action for enhanced trade, investment and joint promotion of infrastructure activities, especially in transport and energy sectors.
The foreign minister said Islamabad was working on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipeline project and pursuing import of electricity from Tajikistan via Afghanistan.
He said Pakistan wanted to intensify trade and economic contacts with Central Asia through Afghanistan.
Pakistan looked forward to increased regional cooperation as Afghanistan assumed membership of the South Asian Association for regional Cooperation, he said.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the United Kingdom was committing £500 million worth of aid over three years in addition to its armed forces to help maintain security.