Pakistan hailed the UN Security Council resolution that facilitated the flow of aid to Afghanistan on Thursday and expressed optimism that the world will now respond quickly to the needs of the Afghan people.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, “Pakistan welcomes the adoption, by consensus, of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2615, that has reaffirmed that provision of humanitarian and other assistance to the people of Afghanistan is not a violation of the Security Council’s Sanctions regime.”
On Wednesday, the Security Council approved a resolution submitted by the United States that allows humanitarian aid to be supplied to Afghanistan in order to prevent the country’s economic collapse.
The resolution read: “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.”
It was stated that such help would not violate the sanctions on the Taliban and their affiliates.
The worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has been widely recognized, but donors have struggled to find means to provide aid to the people in the war-torn country.
According to the FO, the resolution was passed at a critical juncture, reflecting the international community’s “feeling of urgency” to assist the Afghan people.
It went on to say that the resolution was “a step in the right way” in terms of assisting Afghans in a desperate situation.
Furthermore, it was reminded that the 17th extraordinary session of the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers, which was held by Pakistan last week, unanimously adopted a resolution reflecting this attitude.
The conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation urged for the rapid deployment of all humanitarian, recovery, rebuilding, development, technical, and material aid to Afghanistan.
Moreover, it was added, “As called for by the OIC, pathways should now be found towards revitalizing of the Afghan economy and unfreezing of the assets that rightfully belong to the Afghan people.”
Prime Minister Imran Khan during his speech at the OIC CFM also brought to attention that the sanctions put on the Taliban should not stop the majority of the international community from providing aid to the people of Afghanistan.
Moreover, the FO said, “Pakistan hopes that the international community, especially the donor countries, UN agencies, humanitarian organizations, international financial institutions, and other emergency relief providers, will act swiftly and with determination, to provide all possible assistance to the people of Afghanistan.”
