ISLAMABAD: While talking to Middle East Eye, here on Monday 11th of October, Prime Minister Imran Khan held that events in Afghanistan were still evolving and people still did not know where it would go.
Admitting that the incumbent govt was not comprehensive, Imran Khan pointed out as per Taliban the present set-up was a transitionary one. He informed that Pakistan – with the support of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – was endeavoring to encourage Taliban to form an inclusive government.
Imran Khan cautioned that imposition of sanctions against new setup in Afghanistan would create an enormous humanitarian crisis in the landlocked country. He opined that the world community, led by America, should engage with the new govt otherwise isolation would encourage the hardline entities within the Talibans.
Maintaining that Pakistan was negotiating with TTP (that consisted of 50 groups) from a position of strength, PM Imran Khan endorsed that those elements within the TTP who were willing to give up their arms and live as normal citizens were being contacted.
Accusing India of instigating terrorism in Pakistan via Afghanistan during Ashraf Ghani-led govt PM told that Taliban had assured that the TTP would not launch attacks into Pakistan. Citing the example of IRA, PM reiterated that he always believed that all insurgencies eventually ended up on the dialogue table.
Terming US strategy of using drones the most insane way of fighting terrorism Imran Khan said: “Doing a drone attack on a village mud hut and expecting there will not be casualties. And a lot of time the drones targeted the wrong people.”
And would Pakistan allow the US to launch strikes targeting ISIS in Afghanistan from Pakistan, Imran Khan said that is country, that had already suffered enormously, did not want to get involved in the skirmishes associated with Afghanistan, Taliban and Daesh.
Imran Khan pointed out though Pakistan had nothing to do with 9/11, eighty thousand of its citoyens presided due to the country’s role in War on Terror. Moreover, Paksitan’s association with US had ravaged its economy. Drawing a parallel he expressed concern that Pakistan would be most affected if there was chaos in Afghanistan.
Commenting on his parleys with US President Joe Biden he said that so far no dialogue took between them. According to him since Biden is President of a Super Power it is upto him to take the initiative. Nevertheless, he pointed out the Pak-US security chiefs had spoken and Pakistan’s FM had been in touch with the US foreign secretary.
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