Without Pakistan, there is no sustainable solution to Afghanistan
WASHINGTON: Pakistan must participate in a “sustainable solution” to Afghanistan’s conflict, states U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. This comes as Washington and Islamabad explore new options for increasing their cooperation in Taliban-dominated Kabul.
The United States Senator Lindsey Graham said Saturday that Pakistan was essential for any “sustainable” solution to Afghanistan.
After speaking with the Ambassador of Pakistan to the U.S. about the increasing situation in Afghanistan, the U.S. senator made this statement.
In a series of tweets, Senator Graham highlighted Islamabad’s role in the Afghan conflict after a Friday meeting with Asad Majeed Khan, the U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan. He wrote that “any sustainable solution to Afghanistan must include Pakistan” while also describing the region as “very complex” and calling the current situation “dangerous.”
Just spoke with the Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States about the situation in Afghanistan.
Very much appreciate the efforts of the Pakistani government to assist with the evacuation of U.S. citizens, our allies, and other nations.— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) August 27, 2021
Graham was a senior Republican senator and was close to Donald Trump. He is still considered an influential lawmaker in Capitol Hill.
Pakistan Role In Afghanistan’s Situation
He said that Pakistan was a nuclear-armed country and that Pakistan also had concerns about the militants in Afghanistan. He wrote, “There is a Pakistani version of the Taliban who wants (to) to topple the Pakistani military and government.” This was a reference to the banned Tehreek i-Taliban Pakistan, responsible for executing gruesome attacks in Pakistan, including schoolchildren.
Senator Graham stated that any sustainable solution to Afghanistan must include Pakistan, calling the region “very complex” and “dangerous.”
He said that Pakistan is a nuclear-armed country and added “a Pakistani version of the Taliban who wants (to) to topple the Pakistani government, military, and government.” This was referring the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.
Biden’s administration, which inherits the US-Taliban agreement from the previous administration, is determined to pull all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan by August 13. Even after withdrawal, it wants to remain engaged with Afghanistan and has been working for a political solution in Kabul. Recent briefings have revealed that senior U.S. officials are refusing to cooperate with a Taliban-only government.
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Washington has been preventing Afghanistan from accessing its assets in its banks since mid-August when the Taliban took control of Kabul. The U.S. led the way, and the International Monetary Fund and World Bank followed suit and froze Kabul’s assets.
The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Troika members since the Taliban’s overthrow. To discuss the U.S. plan to reach a political agreement, he also called Indian and Turkish foreign ministers.
Graham acknowledged that the region was “very complex,” and these were “dangerous times.” He also highlighted that Pakistan is a nuclear-armed nation and that it has its own version Taliban that wants to “topple the Pakistani government/military.”
He also praised the efforts of Pakistani officials in helping to evacuate U.S. citizens, allies, and other countries from Kabul following the Taliban takeover.
Many of the problems in Afghanistan have been attributed to Pakistan by the West. Pakistan has done its best to ensure regional stability and peace. Republican Senator Graham took note of Pakistani efforts and demanded cooperation from the U.SU.S.
Senator Graham thanked Pakistan for its cooperation in helping to evacuate Americans from Afghanistan. He said: “Very much appreciate Pakistani government’s efforts to help with the evacuation of U.S.citizens, our allied nations, and other countries.”
Ambassador Khan responded to the U.S. senator with a tweet. He said that he had discussed Afghanistan’s situation with the U.S. senator and briefed him about Pakistan’s efforts to support evacuations from Afghanistan.
The U.S. reached out to Islamabad last week to assist with the evacuation. They also asked the Pakistani government to exert its influence to normalize the situation in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover.
Washington considers Pakistan to be part of the extended troika, which Washington believes could play an essential role in facilitating a political settlement for Afghanistan. The troika consists of Pakistan, China, and Russia, as well as the United States.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Mr. Blinken’s Pakistani counterpart, was also available to discuss Afghanistan and the current situation.
Radio Pakistan reports that Mr. Qureshi assured Chief US Diplomat that Pakistan would continue to be closely involved with the U.S. and other international partners “promoting efforts to support a peaceful, stable Afghanistan.”
The foreign minister stressed that an “inclusive and fair political settlement” was the best way forward in Afghanistan. He also reiterated the necessity for the U.S. to maintain economic engagement with Afghanistan.
Moeed Yusuf, National Security Adviser, stated that Pakistan and the United States are interested in working together on Afghanistan.
It was a pleasure to meet with the World Bank’s delegation who appreciated Pakistan’s help in evacuation of their staff in Afghanistan. We continue to facilitate the international community. Our efforts reflect our role as a responsible partner of the international community. pic.twitter.com/6e5iFSw9de
— Moeed W. Yusuf (@YusufMoeed) August 28, 2021
The N.S.A. stated that they were not seeking sympathy for Pakistan. “I think in terms of the selfish national U.S. interests. It is possible to exile a country this large, powerful, and stature.
After speaking with Asad Majeed Khan (Pakistan’s Ambassador to America), he tweeted, “Very much appreciate their efforts to assist with the evacuation of U.S. citizens and our allies and other nations.”
Graham voiced surprise that President Joe Biden had not included Pakistan in withdrawing American troops from Afghanistan. He warned that neglecting Islamabad could prove disastrous.
Qureshi stated that Pakistan wants to establish closer economic and trade links with the United States in a meeting between Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Foreign Minister, and the U.S. lawmaker.
Qureshi stated that Pakistan will continue to support efforts to reach an inclusive political settlement for Afghanistan, which would lead to a comprehensive ceasefire.
He stressed that Afghanistan’s peace was ultimately the joint responsibility of all Afghan parties and key international stakeholders.