Taliban taking Afghanistan ‘to a downfall’: German FM

Bilawal says Pakistan an advocate of international laws

Picture source - Twitter @MediaCellPPP

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday on her maiden two-day visit to hold delegation level talks with Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

The talks will revolve around bilateral matters of the two countries and regional and global issues will be discussed.

The German FM, upon arriving, was welcomed by Bilawal at Foreign office of Pakistan. At the time, Baerbock said that Germany is a valued partner of Pakistan and the two countries have long-standing, cordial relations along with mutual respect and close cooperation.

During a press conference with his German counterpart in Islamabad, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the space for dialogue on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) was deteriorating due to India’s unilateral provocative actions.

Bilawal on Tuesday said that he had been raising the issue of Indian atrocities in IIOJK at global forums and in his meetings with his counterparts, including the US secretary of state.

He said that Pakistan always advocated holding of dialogue and that international laws be adhered to.

While addressing the press conference, the German diplomat warned of the humanitarian crisis brewing in Afghanistan under the Taliban rulers, and said that the situation was dire.

She added that the Taliban were taking the country to a downfall.

Earlier before leaving for Pakistan, Annalena said that evacuation of people from Afghanistan in need of protection was included in the agenda of the tour. Regarding the issue, German FM has already stated that Pakistan was a key partner for bringing people out of Afghanistan safely. She, in a statement, applauded the efforts of Pakistan by saying that it had been affected most than any other country during the Afghan war.

During her visit, Baerbock will meet Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Afghan refugees in Islamabad willing to leave for Germany.

Speaking with media at the Pakistani foreign office, she said that Germany wanted to work together with Pakistani government and people to improve living conditions and provide access to education and decent health care.