UN’s Afghan mission, aid to continue:  Deputy special envoy

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations for Afghanistan on Wednesday said the world’s body would continue its mission and humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan after withdrawal of foreign forces from the country.

Mette Knudsen said this during her trip to southern Kandahar province today. She met with Kandahar governor, provincial council members and tribal elders of the province.

Kandahar Governor RohullahKhanzada told Pajhwok Afghan News that he shared the demands of Afghans about the peace process and humanitarian assistance with the UN delegation.

He said the Afghans wanted accelerated efforts of UN for a stable peace in Afghanistan and the organization’s continued assistance in health, education and human rights in the country.

He termed the UN special representative’s trip to Kandahar as important and said that the delegation reaffirmed the organization’s pledges for its continued assistance in Afghanistan.

Mette Knudsen also met with provincial council members and former police chief, Gen. Tadin Khan as well as provincial tribal elders and discussed various issues.

Haji Mohammad Nader, a provincial council member of Kandahar, told Pajhwok that they had productive discussions with the UN envoy about ongoing situation of the country and the Afghan peace process.

Mette Knudsen told Pajhwok that the aim of her trip to Kandahar was to assess the situation there, discuss peace process and humanitarian assistance.

She said that she recently started her meetings with influential figures and politicians in Afghanistan to remove barriers facing the peace process.

The UN will work for a peace in Afghanistan that should be stable and inclusive and protect all human rights, she added.

Knudsen said that the UN will continue its mission and humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan even after the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the country.

Mds/ma