ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has reportedly been assured by Washington that unlikepast US will not ditch Pakistan after the end of successful Afghan peacetalks.
The United States will not shun Pakistan after the goal of Afghan peace hasbeen achieved, Washington has assured Islamabad.
Senior officials at the foreign ministry told The Nation that Pakistan hada ‘huge concern’ that the US always turned its back after ‘using’ Pakistan.
“The past is an evidence. They (the US) have used Pakistan to achieve theirgoals in the past and then walked away. We have discussed this issue withthem and they have promised not to ignore us (Pakistan) after Afghanistan’speace has been achieved,” said one official.
Another official said the US was interested to continue the ‘partnership’for regional peace and progress. “Washington believes Pakistan’s role isbeyond Afghanistan. They want to make joint efforts in the future andachieve all the targets,” he added.
Pakistan has arranged US talks with the Afghan Taliban in the recent weeks.Yesterday, Abdul Ghani Baradar, a senior Taliban military commander and aco-founder of the Taliban – who was released from prison in Pakistan inOctober – was appointed head of the group’s political office in Qatar as itnegotiated with the US over ending the 17-year-old Afghan war.
The Taliban leader was arrested in Pakistan in 2010. His release wasbelieved to have been arranged by the US as part of the negotiations, andhis presence could reassure battlefield commanders who may fear concessionsby the political leadership.
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Baradar was brought in to “strengthen and properly handle the ongoingnegotiations process with the United States.” Taliban SpokespersonZabihullah Mujahid said. “Multiple changes have also taken place in themilitary and civilian departments” of the group, “so that the ongoingjihadi process and political efforts can develop positively.”
The Taliban have refused to meet with the Afghan government, which theyview as a US puppet. This week, a Taliban assault on a military base run bythe intelligence service killed dozens of people.
Amid the peace talks with Afghan Taliban, the US has shown interest in ameeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and US President Donald Trump.
Pakistan said no date had been finalised for Prime Minister Khan’s meetingwith President Trump. However, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr MohammedFaisal confirmed interest had been expressed from the US side for a meetingbetween the top leaders.
