Pakistan has expressed support for the appointment of a United Nations special representative for Afghanistan and a crucial United Nations conference is underway in Qatar regarding Afghanistan.
The two-day conference, starting on Sunday under the United Nations, involves representatives from 20 countries, human rights leaders, and delegates from the Taliban opposition government. On the other hand, the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan has rejected the invitation to participate in the conference, citing reservations about the UN’s involvement.
The Taliban insists on being recognized as the legitimate representative of Afghanistan, and they want other delegates to be invited only after consulting with them. In the Doha conference, Pakistan’s delegation is led by Special Ambassador Asif Durrani for Afghanistan, along with the head of the Pakistani mission in Kabul and the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The conference involves discussions on the exchange of views on the appointment of a United Nations special coordinator for Afghanistan. The coordinator had submitted a report last November, suggesting measures to address Taliban issues and ensure humanitarian aid based on principles.
The report also included significant recommendations to broaden international efforts in Afghanistan, including the appointment of a United Nations special representative. The United Nations Security Council approved the agreement in December and endorsed the recommendations. The United States and its allies supported the appointment of a special representative, while China and Russia did not participate in the voting.
Initially, Pakistan had reservations about the appointment of a United Nations special representative, but now, it is reported that Pakistan supports the proposal, emphasizing that the UN representative should be a Muslim, an experienced diplomat, and have a connection to the region.
It is noteworthy that Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have strained relations, especially due to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group’s activities.
The Taliban government opposes the UN special representative’s suggestion, asserting that there is no need for such appointments. They argue that a UN special representative is only necessary when the country is in crisis, while Afghanistan is currently functioning as a normal state.
Efforts are being made in the United Nations conference to find common ground amidst reservations. However, the absence of the Taliban government in the conference complicates the process.
On the first day of the conference in Doha, some participants suggested that the United Nations could resolve the matter more effectively if the Taliban delegation were present. Others expressed that in times when the world is engulfed in conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, the conference signifies that the global community is not oblivious to Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, has held several meetings with officials from the United States, the European Union, and other countries. He also met with Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Afghan Taliban’s political office in Doha, discussing matters of mutual interest.