Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Khawaja Asif has recently stated that Islamabad cannot be a restraint for peace and security in Afghanistan, adding, however, effective border management with Kabul is vital to curbing intrusion of extremists.
Speaking at the Asia Society Seminar in New York, the minister said that the U.S cannot get to the top in Afghanistan by pursuing war. Mr. Asif said an ongoing war without any results for perpetual 16 years, marks, that the peace settlements can only be restored through effective dialogues.
More on this Khawaja Asif said that peace in Afghanistan is the utmost priority for Pakistan, on the other hand, it is but for the vested interest of few influential Afghans, who do not wish to see peace, but, status quo in the troubled region.
The minister could not maintain an emphatic tone during his speech, and the so-called Pakistan’s fierce independent foreign policy was somewhat ignored.
He blamed Afghanistan, the neighboring country for harboring safe havens for the terrorists, while fortunately dismissing accusations on Pakistan’s soil.
A direct and robust message was expected from the minister to the US, for the immaculate military services and utmost efforts of his nation in fighting terrorism.
On the other hand, President Donald Trump’s reaction was as typical as expected, he was blunt, and asserted harsh allegations on Pakistan for harboring terrorists, and his teased policies remain inflexible.
Moreover, Mr.Khawja asserted that Pakistan is already cooperating with the US, and that the assistance will stay. However, he rejected the allegation on Pakistan as being cast as a haven for terrorists; but, further added, that his county has done whatever, not to cut off their intelligence or military link with the US.
“We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars, at the same time, they are housing the very terrorists we are fighting … that must change immediately,” Mr. Trump’s rhetoric was harsh.
Reportedly in a sudden move, the US cleared its special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. The stance came unexpected and several reports suggest that without ranking and filing the diplomats, it could be a move to condense redundancies at the State Department, that basket effective coordination on South and Central Asia.
Pakistan has taken enough blames from the Trump administration for not maintaining peace in the region and on the other side, his pampering attitude towards its rivals is highly perceptible. Words like reluctance and consideration are not a part of Mr. Trump’s policy particularly when it comes to ties with Pakistan.
The efforts to participate with the United States will prove fruitless, and that President Trump’s new policy of sending more troops and putting pressure on Islamabad is not aimed at placating Afghanistan, but at imposing a broad “Pax Indo-Americana” on the region. A former Pakistani diplomat with robust nationalist views Munir Akram marked recently.
Afghanistan was firstly invaded by the US on Oct 7, 2001, and later collided with its NATO allies for further attacks, and since then, Pakistan has played a distinct and most significant role in combating terrorism, and to bring harmony between the conflicts. But for the United States all the efforts are of no significance, and yet’ the foreign office does not consider that there are times we all need a pat on our backs.
On Oct, 1, when the Army chief of Pakistan, Gen, Qamar Jawed Bajwa visited the Afghan capital, with his full support he was greeted with the most honorable protocol. However, after his departure the silence of the Afghan diplomats over the growing tension between Pakistan and the US is clear evidence of their nonchalance.
At the same time it is obvious that the concerned Afghan authorities are overlooking at the safety of their regional reality, and existence, as their deportments are somewhere else.
The Afghan President, Mr. Ghani, also couldn’t express his contentment over Pakistan’s government and military role in counter-terrorism, both in Afghanistan and at home. However, Pakistan always remained on the forefront and extended its services, while remaining focused on its regional significance and stability.
Looking into the penetration of the militants, and guarding on the security at the borders is no trivial task, and Pakistan cannot be held responsible being in charge of security matters entirely on its own for a massive region that includes the security matters of the bordering nations too.
It is time that Pakistan must less emphasize on US traditional style of shock treatments, and underline that ‘Do More Formula’ applies to all.
