Imran Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), criticized the coalition government for delivering “irresponsible statements” against the Taliban-led Afghan government and emphasized collaboration with the neighboring nation.
Islamabad has often expressed worry over Kabul’s harboring of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists and its failure to fulfill its pledge to prevent the use of its territory for terrorist activities.
Despite the government’s “zero-tolerance” policy, TTP has ended the ceasefire with Pakistan and intensified terror actions across the nation, resulting in multiple deaths and dozens of injuries.
“Ministers are making foolish claims that they plan to invade Afghanistan; if the Afghan government quits cooperating with [Pakistan], then we will have a never-ending conflict on our hands,” Khan told a seminar via video link from Lahore.
Khan, who was removed as prime minister in April, had urged the international community to cooperate with the Taliban administration rather than isolating them, or else regional and global consequences would ensue.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-first Zardari’s international journey should have been to the war-torn neighboring country, according to the leader of the PTI.
The former prime minister stated that military operations “never” bear fruit and are part of peace agreements, reiterating that the government should engage with the Taliban to prevent terrorism on Pakistani territory.
“When the United States departed Afghanistan, we had a good opportunity to improve our relations with the Ashraf Ghani government and refrain from intervening in Afghan matters,” he stated.
However, as the Taliban gained control, Khan continued to engage with them, and he stated that “Pakistan assisted in the evacuation of foreigners from Afghanistan.”