Islamabad, 2 May 2023, (GNP): The Deputy Foreign Minister of Czech Republic Mr. Jiri Kozak called on the Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs MNA Mohsin Dawar at Parliament House.
The delegation headed by the Czech Deputy Foreign Minister included the Czech Ambassador Mr. Tomas Smetanka, Deputy Head of the Mission Mr. Vaclay Dobes and Mr. Vaclay Jilek, Commercial Counsellor of the Czech Republic Embassy, Islamabad.
Both sides underlined the need for sustained parliamentary diplomacy and concerted action to tackle world’s pressing challenges. Matters of mutual concerns including Ukraine War, situation in Afghanistan and refugees’ influx in Europe and Pakistan respectively came under discussion.
The Czech Republic Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Jiri Kozak highlighted the plight of refugees in Europe in the aftermath of Ukraine conflict. He stated that Czech Republic hosted the highest number of Ukrainian refugees in the world it was essentially a daunting challenge to accommodate large waves of migration.
It was highlighted that impact of the Ukrainian conflict are felt everywhere in the world. Mohsin Dawar apprised the delegation on the intricacies of regional peace in the backdrop of lingering conflict in Afghanistan and stressed on the need for a proactive role of the international community to restore peace in Afghanistan and ensure that the rights of the Afghan citizens are protected.
Responding to the European challenge of Ukrainian refugees, he stated that Pakistan also faced a massive influx of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and associated challenges with political instability in Afghanistan. He underlined the need for clear refugees’ policy in Pakistan to ensure dignified treatment meted out to the refugees across the country
When a militant outfit continues to rule Afghanistan, peace in the region would be elusive, Mohsin stated. In the absence of organized political structure and opposition in the face of Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan, the Afghan populace couldn’t conceive viable political alternatives.
He regretted that the flawed Doha deal laid the foundation for current predicament in Afghanistan and urged the need for a vibrant diplomatic role of the international community to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Both stressed on the need to strengthen Parliamentary diplomacy and people to people exchanges. Mohsin Dawar stated that Pakistan attached immense importance to its relations with Czech Republic
