For the second time in a quarter century Pakistan became a front-line State because our country's geographical location next to Afghanistan. This time the crisis was attributed to the Taliban government's policy of providing sanctuary to a group of foreign nationals accused of running a terrorist network and involvement in terrorist attacks in foreign countries. The crisis exploded on 11 September 2001. Immediately the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington were attributed to Osama bin Laden and the Al Quaeda network.

The Taliban government's insistence on evidence against OBL for complicity in the 11 September attacks ignored the fact that he was already accused of involvement in terrorist attacks on US embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salam. Security Council resolutions of 15 October 1999 and 19 December 2000 had blamed the Taliban for providing sanctuary to OBL and demanded closure of terrorist camps and surrender of OBL to be brought to justice.

Article 25 of the UN Charter requires all Members to carry out the decisions of the Security Council. The Taliban's refusal to comply with the UNSC resolutions exposed them to coercive measures. The
reference to Article 51 of the Charter in the SC resolution of 12 September 2001 was legally deemed sufficient for the United States to resort to use of force in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence.

Article 25 of the UN Charter requires all Members to carry out the decisions of the Security Council. The Taliban's refusal to comply with repeated resolutions set the stage for coercive measures. The reference to Article 51 of the Charter in the SC resolution of 12 September 2001 was deemed sufficient for the United States to resort to military action in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence.

The threat of such action loomed high on the horizon. As a duty to the people of Afghanistan, with whom we share abiding ties of history and culture, Pakistan sent high level emissaries to Kandahar and Kabul to
share our assessment with the Taliban leadership. They were apprised of our view that non-compliance with Security Council resolutions would jeopardize the interests of the Afghan people.

We regretted that the Taliban leadership did not take a realistic view of the grave situation. Its decision jeopardized the safety and security of the Afghan people. Of course every country has the sovereign right to determine its own policy and the government of Afghanistan is entitled to exercise that right on basis of its own judgment. By the same token, the Pakistan government bears responsibility to safeguard the interests of our own people.

President Pervez Musharraf played a role of leadership in responding to the crisis. He held consultations with opinion leaders and listened to representatives of the political and other segments of society. A timely
decision was taken to cast our policy in the mould of international propriety and legitimacy. Any delay or dithering could have consequences detrimental to the interests of the nation.

In deciding our policy we took cognizance of the obtaining environment. The Western media and even some governments had misinterpreted the diplomatic relations we maintained with the Taliban government as proof of our support for their policies. Formation of a defence of Afghanistan alliance by some religious leaders and heads of private madaris was misperceived as evidence of official backing for the Taliban and their policies.

Sections of public opinion in powerful Western countries had been misled by perverse propaganda over the previous decade to cultivate an adversarial view of Islam. Predictably the hard-liners in India sought
to exploit the situation to equate the Kashmiri freedom struggle with terrorism, ignoring the fact that the killing of over 75,000 Kashmiris were due to state terrorism.

The safety and well-being of Muslim residents in the western countries was in danger. Inflamed and prejudiced opinion hardly took note that Muslim countries condemned the terrorist outrage and extended
condolences and sympathy to the American people. They voted in favour of the United Nations resolution, which called for cooperation by all States to bring perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of the terroristattacks in New York and Washington to justice.

II

The Pakistan government made a considered and timely decision to cast our policy was cast in the mould of the UN resolutions. Within a couple of days Pakistan's image was transformed. Our policy was seen
to be responsible and principled. Governments of friendly and fraternal States considered our decision correct and farsighted. Manifesting solidarity with Pakistan in this time of danger, the President of China and leaders of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Turkey immediately telephoned President
Musharraf. The PrimeMinister of Canada called to express appreciation. Prime Minister TonyBlair and
Secretary of State Colin Powell visited Islamabad to applaud Pakistan's bold and courageous decision. The European Union sent theTroika leaders to assure Pakistan of support and assistance. Otherleaders are due to pay visits.

The Muslim world occupies a central position in formulation of Pakistan's foreign policy. It was natural therefore that we attached crucial importance to the extraordinary session of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. We were gratified that the Foreign Ministers met in Doha on 10 October and unanimously decided to condemn the terrorist attacks of 11 September and endorse cooperation in bringing perpetrators to justice.

The communique issue by the Islamic Conference also highlighted the fact that Islam is a religion of peace, calls for tolerance and coexistence with other religions and civilizations and upholds the sanctity of human life. It abhors killing of innocent persons. The murder of a single person is equated with murder of humanity.

The Islamic Conference rejected the linkage between terrorism and resistance by Islamic and Arab peoples against foreign occupation in exercise of their legitimate right to self-determination and self-defence.

Significantly the Islamic Conference denounced "minority and fringe voices that have tried to cause harm to Islam and Muslims." This admonition was addressed to those extremist sections of opinion in Muslim countries that are agitating against the policy of cooperation with the fight against international terrorism.

III

Since military action commenced on 7 October 2001, Pakistan has used its influence in favour of ameliorating the suffering of the innocent people of Afghanistan. We have advocated that the military campaign should be limited to the realization of the objectives specified in UN resolutions.

Human sympathy for the Afghan civilians who are suffering death and destruction as a result of air attacks is as natural and spontaneous, as was solidarity with the innocent people killed due to attacks in the United States. Demonstrations have been held not only in Pakistan but also throughout the word. Such protests are bound to increase if the military action is prolonged and innocent people of Afghanistan
are subjected to mounting suffering and hardship. The poor people of this destroyed country deserve compassion.

The tragedy and travail of the Afghan people must be brought to an end. The United Nations has been requested to intensify efforts for the formation of a broad-based and multi-ethnic government
representatives of the demographic composition of the country. Former King Zahir Shah, political and tribal leaders, moderate Taliban, the Northern Alliance, refugees and others living outside the country -
in short all components of the Afghan population - have a part to play in the reconstruction of their country. Pakistan will cooperate with any government in Kabul that is acceptable to the people of Afghanistan.

Pakistan has urged the United Nations to provide humanitarian assistance inside Afghanistan so as to prevent another exodus. Our resources are already strained to the limit because of the presence of
three million refugees, Still we have received 50,000 new refugees by mid-October and are trying to cope with the influx as best we can.

Pakistan is also urging the world community to plan for reconstruction of Afghanistan and rehabilitation of its economy so that Afghan refugees can return to their homeland and resume normal lives. The Islamic Conference has expressed solidarity with the suffering people of Afghanistan. It established a fund for humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. Fourteen million dollars were pledged at the OIC session on 10 October.

A peaceful and developing Afghanistan will be a blessing for all neighbouring countries, especially Pakistan. The scope for fruitful economic cooperation with the Central Asian Republics is immense.
Above all our people long for the day when Afghanistan will provide a link and bridge to our civilizational hinterland.

To these objective Pakistan will bend its efforts in future as we have done in the past.

Editor's Note

I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr Abdul Sattar on very many occasions and have conducted interviews with him for TV/MAGAZINES and it have always been such a pleasant experience to meet him and talk to him on world issues.

A man of enormous depth and knowledge a gentle soul, and a thinker, very much a people's person
a true gentleman and a diplomat and a wonderful friend

This is his second term as Foreign Minster of Pakistan ad is considered to be a leading light
in diplomatic circles and a devoted man of peace and love

During his diplomatic career he served as Ambassador to Austria (1975-78), India (1978-82 and 1990-92) and the Soviet Union (1988-90). He worked at the Foreign Office as Director, Director General, Additional Secretary for Asia, 1982-86, and Foreign Secretary,1986-1988.

He was member of the Pakistan delegation at the Simla conference in 1972, and was closely involved in successful negotiations leading to the Geneva Accords in April 1988 which provided for the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan.