World can’t leave Afghans alone, says Pakistan PM Sharif

KABUL (Pajhwok): Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that global interaction with the caretaker government of Afghanistan is not a choice but a necessity.

Sharif, who visited Turkey two days ago for a three-day official visit, his first since assuming office in April, told the Turkish state news agency Anadolu that the world could not leave the people of Afghanistan alone and should immediately take responsibility for the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Shahbaz Sharif said the complete collapse of Afghanistan's economy would be a disaster for Afghans, Pakistan and the international community and any instability in Afghanistan could affect foreign and neighboring countries.

"The exodus of refugees from unstable Afghanistan and international terrorism is not in anyone's interest," Sharif said.

He asked the Taliban to live up to their promises to the international community that Afghanistan will not be used for "terrorism", provide education to girls and women and form a coalition government in Afghanistan.

However, Afghan officials say the current government is inclusive and work is underway to make it more inclusive.

The new caretaker government - which has not yet been recognized by any country - is yet to open girls' schools from grades six to 12, but says it is working on a plan to do so. Government officials have repeatedly said that Afghan soil will not be used against anyone.

"The international community must continue to engage with the Afghan caretaker government.. and only through sustained engagement can we achieve our common goal - a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan," Shahbaz Sharif said in the interview.

During a meeting with Sharif, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdgan stressed the importance of maintaining lasting stability in Afghanistan and said that joint efforts were needed to help Afghans mitigate the effects of the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

He said the country had sent about 4000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan by four trains and the process was continuing.

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