Pak. may challenge curbs on Kabul

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, DEC. 21. Pakistan is expected to appeal to the United Nations Security Council to review and reconsider the latest sanctions imposed on the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

A Foreign Office spokesman told correspondents here today that under Article 50 of the U.N. Charter, a member-State has the right to appeal against any action or resolution if it posed major economic problems for the country.

The contention of Pakistan is that the latest sanctions would aggravate the misery of people in Afghanistan and Pakistan would have to bear the brunt of the massive exodus expected on account of the curbs.

Pakistan is a close ally of the Taliban regime and one of three countries (besides Saudi Arabia and UAE) that recognises the Taliban government. In fact, Pakistan is the only country in the world to have a functional embassy in Kabul.

The spokesman said Pakistan had received the sanctions resolution against Afghanistan and was examining it.

The U.N. Security Council has provided 30 days to Afghanistan to either comply with the directives in the resolution or be prepared to face the consequences.

``Pakistan will respect the U.N. Security Council resolution consistent with its obligations under the U.N. Charter's Article 25 and international norms. We also reserve the right to invoke Article 50 and consult the Security Council.''

The spokesman said the one-sided sanctions could encourage the Northern Alliance led by Mr. Ahmed Shah Masood to intensify the conflict. He said the sanctions were bound to affect Pakistan which itself is confronted with economic problems. ``We fear that there would be a large influx of refugees into Pakistan in the coming weeks and months. In a span of three weeks Pakistan has received over 30,000 refugees from Afghanistan.''

The spokesman said Pakistan would like the U.N. to launch a major humanitarian programme to alleviate the suffering of the people of Afghanistan.

A day before the U.N. adopted the resolution on Afghanistan, the Pakistan Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdul Sattar, had warned of a grave human catastrophe in Afghanistan if the Security Council were to go ahead with the new curbs.

Mr. Sattar said Pakistan would have been glad to support a resolution that prohibited supply of arms and ammunition to both the parties rather than the unilateral ban applicable only for the Taliban.

``We understand some countries are in the process of supplying large quantities of arms and ammunition to the warlord, Mr. Ahmed Shah Masood. It is a clear prescription to prolong the strife.''

Asked about Osama Bin Laden, he described people of Afghanistan as `rational and reasonable' and said that if the effort was sincere, a way out could be found on every issue including that of Osama.

Mr. Sattar said in the perception of Pakistan imposition of fresh sanctions on the Taliban at this juncture would seriously undermine the efforts being made by well wishers of Afghanistan and the United Nation for reconciliation and peace.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Next     : Bugging alleged in trial against Estrada