Page 12 - Pakistan Link - August 13, 2021

P12 – PAKISTAN LINK – AUGUST 13, 2021 PAKISTAN
US Finds Pakistan Useful Only to Clean US Wants to Continue Improving

up Mess in Afghanistan - Imran Khan Ties, Austin Tells Bajwa

why there’s a different way of treat-
ing Pakistan now,” Khan said.
Pakistan and India are archri-
vals and have fought three wars. The
two share frosty ties and currently
have minimal diplomatic relations.
A political settlement in Af-
ghanistan was looking difficult
under current conditions, Khan
added.
He said he tried to persuade
Taliban leaders when they were vis-
iting Pakistan to reach a settlement.
“The condition is that as long
as Ashraf Ghani is there, we (Tali-
ban) are not going to talk to the
Afghan government,” Khan said,
quoting the Taliban leaders as tell-
“Pakistan is just considered only to be useful in the context of somehow settling this ing him. “Secretary Austin and General Bajwa discussed the ongoing situation in Afghanistan,
mess which has been left behind after 20 years of trying to find a military solution Peace talks between the Tali- regional security and stability, and the bilateral defense relationship more broadly,”
when there was not one,” Khan told foreign journalists at his home in Islamabad ban, who view Ghani and his gov- Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said
ernment as US puppets, and a team
Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minis- The United States will pull out of Kabul-nominated Afghan nego- n By Anwar Iqbal between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
ter Imran Khan accused the United its military by August 31, 20 years tiators started last September but “We are mindful that those safe
States of seeing his country as use- after toppling the Taliban govern- have made no substantive progress. Washington: In a phone call to havens are only providing a source of
ful only in the context of the “mess” ment in 2001. But, as the United Representatives of a number Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Ba- more insecurity and more instability
it is leaving behind in Afghanistan States leaves, the Taliban today of countries, including the United jwa, US Defense Secretary Lloyd inside Afghanistan. We are not bash-
after 20 years of fighting. controls more territory than at any States, are currently in the Qatari Austin has conveyed Washington’s ful about having that discussion with
Washington has been pressing point since then. capital of Doha talking to both sides interest in continuing to improve the Pakistani leaders,” he said.
Pakistan to use its influence over Kabul and several Western in a last-ditch push for a ceasefire. US-Pakistan relationship, the Penta- “We are also mindful that Paki-
the Taliban to broker an elusive governments say Pakistan’s support US forces have continued to gon said on Tuesday. stan and the Pakistani people also fall
peace deal as negotiations between for the insurgent group allowed it to use air strikes to support Afghan Secretary Austin “expressed his victim to terrorist activities that ema-
the insurgents and Afghan govern- weather the war. forces against Taliban advances, but interest in continuing to improve the nate from that region. So, we all have
ment have stalled, and violence in The charge of supporting the it remains unclear if such support US-Pakistan relationship and build a shared sense of the importance of
Afghanistan has escalated sharply. Taliban despite being a US ally has will continue after August 31. upon our multiple shared interests in closing down those safe havens and
“Pakistan is just considered long been a sore point between Khan said Pakistan had “made the region”, the statement added. not allowing them to be used by the
only to be useful in the context of Washington and Islamabad. Paki- it very clear” that it does not want “Secretary Austin and General Taliban or other terrorist networks to
somehow settling this mess which stan denies supporting the Taliban. any American military bases in Bajwa discussed the ongoing situa- sow discord,” Mr Kirby said.
has been left behind after 20 years Khan said Islamabad was not Pakistan after US forces exit Af- tion in Afghanistan, regional secu- “And again, we’re having that
of trying to find a military solution taking sides in Afghanistan. ghanistan. rity and stability, and the bilateral conversation with the Pakistanis all
when there was not one,” Khan told “I think that the Americans (Reporting by Gibran Peshi- defense relationship more broadly,” the time,” he said.
foreign journalists at his home in have decided that India is their stra- mam; editing by John Stonestreet Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby Asked what role India and Paki-
Islamabad. tegic partner now, and I think that’s and Jonathan Oatis. Reuters) said. Mr Austin also discussed the stan should play in Afghanistan, the
Pentagon spokesperson said: “We
Scapegoating Must Be Avoided to Counter mutual goals of security and stability want all neighboring countries not to
in the region, he said.
take actions that make the situation
Spoilers of Afghan Peace: COAS question, Mr Kirby said the US con- in Afghanistan more dangerous than
Responding to a journalist’s
it is already, and to continue to try
tinues to have conversations with the to use international pressure to get
Rawalpindi: Chief of Army Staff Pakistani leadership about the safe a negotiated peaceful political settle-
(COAS) General Qamar Javed Ba- havens that exist along the border ment to this war.” - Dawn
jwa has said that misperceptions
and scapegoating must be avoided Islamabad’s Attitude Remains
to counter designs of Afghan peace
spoilers, a statement issued by the Positive despite Ghani’s Allegations
military’s media wing said.
The army chief said this while Islamabad: Foreign Minister Shah
chairing a two-day-long 242nd Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday
Corps Commanders’ Conference said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani
(CCC) held at the General Head- has continued his allegations against
quarters in Rawalpindi on Wednes- Pakistan yet Islamabad’s attitude re-
day, a statement issued by the Inter- mains ‘positive’.
Services Public Relations (ISPR) “We want improvement in Af-
said. ghanistan”, the FM said, adding that
The participants took a com- the Afghan people themselves want
prehensive review of the global, re- peace.
gional and domestic security envi- According to him, Pakistan’s
ronment. role in the Afghan peace process has
The forum was given a detailed been positive and he elaborated that
briefing on the evolving situation region.” Covid-19, monsoons and nation- a Pakistani delegation is currently in
along the Pak-Afghan International According to the ISPR, the wide polio drive. Doha and engaged in peace talks.
Border, its implications on Pakistan’s COAS expressed satisfaction over “Our positive role and efforts
internal security – particularly in stringent measures being taken for Barrister Sultan Candidate for peace are not hidden from any-
the western zone as well as measures ensuring effective border control as one, and today the world is appreci- continue.”
being taken to tackle emerging chal- part of the comprehensive Border for AJK President Slot ating Pakistan’s conciliatory efforts FM Qureshi clarified Pakistan’s
lenges. Management Regime and asked for for Afghan peace”, he remarked. stance on the situation, reiterating
“We have made every possible high level of vigil along the western Muzaffarabad: Regional president The foreign minister spoke of that Pakistan has “no favorites in Af-
effort to facilitate the Afghan peace border. of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) unnamed ‘forces’ in the region that ghanistan”.
process leading towards a negoti- Taking a holistic view of the Barrister Sultan Mahmood has are working against peace and need “If there was a military solution
ated settlement with utmost sincer- multifarious security challenges agreed to become the party’s candi- to be monitored. to the Afghan situation it would have
ity and will continue to do so,” the faced by Pakistan in various do- date in the presidential election in “Attempts are being made to been reached. However, no such
army chief was cited by the military’s mains in the evolving milieu, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), hold Pakistan responsible for the military solution has come to light”,
media wing as saying. forum also underscored the need for scheduled for Aug 17, it emerged on situation in Afghanistan”, he said, he maintained.
Reinforcing Pakistan’s vision adopting a whole nation approach. Wednesday. adding that a faction outside of Af- According to the foreign min-
for peace, connectivity and shared The COAS, the ISPR said, com- Mr Mahmood was elected as ghanistan is “playing the role of the ister, Pakistan is in touch with all of
prosperity, he added: “Being a col- mended formations for maintaining member of the Legislative Assem- spoiler”. Afghanistan’s neighboring countries
lective responsibility, all stakehold- high standards of operational readi- bly (MLA) from LA-3, Mirpur-III The minister reiterated that and wants to come up with “an inte-
ers have to play their part positively ness and providing sustained sup- on July 25, securing his seventh vic- Pakistan is “part of a global con- grated strategy” for peace.
for enduring peace in Afghanistan port to civil administration during tory in nine general elections since sensus” and has the same “goal” of “We are concerned about the
which is pivotal for stability in the the ongoing national efforts against 1985. peace. “Our efforts for peace will ATTITUDE, P24
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