ISLAMABAD: The partial withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan has meagre chances of triggering chaos in the war-torn country and thus will have no significant impact on Pakistan, analysts with a background in defence and strategic studies said on Friday.
“Only a full withdrawal of troops could affect Pakistan which would ultimately lead to a vacuum and civil war in Afghanistan,” Brig (r) Mahmood Shah told APP when asked about the possible fallout of the decision of Trump administration on Pakistan.
The Trump administration is withdrawing from Afghanistan roughly 7,000 troops — around half of the American military personnel currently stationed there — in the coming months.
Brig (r) Shah said that Pakistan had always favoured partial withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan in view of giving the Afghan government enough margin to get gradual control of the situation. He said that the decision would not disrupt direct trade with Afghanistan due to its dependence on Pakistan for the import of wheat, rice and fertilizer.
Air Vice Marshal (r) Shahzad Chaudhry termed US decision of partial pullout a “much-planned move” and a formal assurance to Taliban for its seriousness in Afghanistan’s peace. He dismissed the impression that it was US President Trump’s impulsive announcement to withdraw troops from Syria and Afghanistan at the same time.
Regarding the recent meeting of US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad with the Pakistani leadership, Shahzad Chaudhry agreed to the notion that Pakistan was taken onboard prior to the US’ decision. He said that a national government formed with the consensus of the Afghan government and Taliban would help resume peace in the country.
Centre for Research and Strategic Studies Executive Director Imtiaz Gul said that Trump had called the shot with his calculated move and had fulfilled the promise he made for Afghanistan’s peace.
“Partial pullout is a face-saving for the US, however, it could increase pressure on the Afghan government to be amenable to Taliban and their demands,” he said.
On the resignation of US Defence Secretary General James Mattis following the announcement on troops, Imtiaz Gul said that it symbolised the longstanding differences between US President Trump and the US security establishment.
