Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masud Kausar has said only Pakistan and Afghanistan could ensure better solution to the long-standing Afghan conflict, which was essential for return of peace, stability and an end to militancy and terrorism throughout the region.
“Unless both Pakistan and Afghanistan are taken on board in connection with ongoing parleys between US and Taliban, there can be no amicable solution,” Kausar said while talking to Pakistan Today at Governor’s House, Peshawar.
He said Pakistan and Afghanistan were not only facing similar situation but were also the main stakeholders in ongoing war on terror.
Referring to US-Taliban parleys, Kausar said Pakistan was not on board in this respect. He observed that without Pakistan and Afghanistan, such attempts on the part of US could further complicate the issues. “We are really harmed with such acts on the part of US,” he said and urged the US to review its policies.
To a question, Kausar said, “Dialogue with the Taliban doesn’t matter to Pakistan, but we always kept in mind the interests of international community while dealing with the Taliban.”
Elaborating his point of view, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor said since beginning of the war on terror, Pakistan had not only backed the international community but rendered tremendous sacrifices in this respect.
“But like in the late 1980s, Pakistan is being isolated, which is harmful,” he pointed out, adding that “instead of keeping in mind Pakistan’s concerns and interests, US has not only intensified drone attacks but also initiated ground attacks against security forces.”
“On such grounds, Pakistan is left with no option other than halting supplies for NATO troops,” he said.
To a question, the governor said, “Though I am unaware about the details of US-Taliban dialogue, the Foreign Office may know better.”
He said Pakistan favoured cordial and friendly terms with the US and the American authorities must realise Pakistan’s compulsions.
He said that it was time to go for revival of relations with the US keeping in view internal needs and interests and expectations of the people.
About the policies on Afghanistan, Kausar said both countries were linked in historical blood, cultural and traditional relations and Pakistan had always supported its people at critical times.
He recalled that Pakistan became a frontline state in the war against former Soviet Union and similar was its position in the ongoing war on terror.
“But unfortunately, the international community failed in fulfilling of its responsibilities, thus not only disappointed the people but keeping them away from each other. Such crisis cannot be created by the people of the two countries, but can be considered the outcome of the international community’s wrong policies,” he said,
Kausar expressed satisfaction with the existing situation of the Tribal Areas, saying, “Compare to the previous couple of years, militancy was on the decline in almost the entire tribal belt.”
He made it clear that administrative status of Federally Administrative Tribal Areas (FATA) will be decided in according with the wishes of the people and the government had no intention to impose its own choice.
