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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Munir Akram warned the world community against "spoilers" in Afghanistan who did not want the conflict-ridden state to make progress toward peace, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported on Friday.
Akram welcomed fresh impetus in the intra-Afghan dialogue that has brought representatives of the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents to the negotiating table in Doha to iron out their differences and reach a viable political settlement.
"Spoilers, from within or without, must not be allowed to subvert the success of these negotiations and prevent a comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan," he said during a debate on the situation in Afghanistan, adding: "The machinations of such spoilers must be defeated."
The Pakistani envoy also expressed concern over continuing violence in Afghanistan, saying that his country agreed with the international community that transnational militant groups, such as Daesh and al-Qaeda, must not be allowed to operate from the Afghan soil.
"Terrorism has had a devastating impact on Afghanistan and its neighboring countries," he said. "A peaceful and stable Afghanistan is indispensable for peace and stability in the region and beyond."
He maintained that the intra-Afghan dialogue had given a new and historic opportunity to all political stakeholders in Afghanistan to move toward an inclusive and comprehensive settlement.
"Pakistan has walked with the international community and our Afghan brothers and sisters on the path to peace, encouraging reduction in violence and urging dialogue and negotiations," he said. "It is the Afghans who must be the masters of their destiny, and decide their own future, without outside influence or interference. Pakistan will continue to support the Intra-Afghan negotiations and looks forward to an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political solution paving the way for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan."
Akram also added that while the world was closing borders due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pakistan had opened five border crossing points with Afghanistan and softened its visa policy to help visitors from that country.