-Says Islamabad’s close ties with Beijing change Washington’s behavior
-Hails China’s constructive role in building of war-turn Afghanistan
-Aims to bring Turkey, Taliban to table for discussing security of Kabul airport
-Claims US finds Pakistan useful only in Afghan peace process
DM Monitoring
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a wide-ranging talk with foreign journalists at his residence on Wednesday night, said he was not really “waiting” for a phone call from US President Joe Biden.
“I keep hearing that President Biden hasn’t called me. It’s his business. It’s not like I am waiting for any phone call,” he said in response to a question.
The premier added that Pakistan’s closeness to China was another reason for the change in the US’ attitude.
To a question on China’s future role in Afghanistan, he said China being an emerging power and a neighbour would have its part in the rebuilding of the war-torn country.
During the interaction with the foreign media, the prime minister talked about the current situation in Afghanistan, its impact on Pakistan, and the withdrawal of US troops from the war-torn country. “The hasty way in which the Americans left, if they wanted a political settlement then common sense dictates that you negotiate from a position of strength,” he said, adding that the US was now blaming Pakistan when they no longer had any leverage. “I think the Americans have decided that India is a strategic partner. Maybe that’s why Pakistan is being treated differently. Pakistan is just considered to be useful only in the context of settling this mess.”
He said that Pakistan would use its influence on Taliban for holding direct talks with Turkey to secure the Kabul International Airport as the U.S. troops are set to exit the conflict-hit country by August 31.
“We will be trying the best thing for Turkey and Taliban to have a face-to-face dialogue, so that both could talk about the reasons to secure the Kabul airport,” he said in an interaction with journalists, here at the PM House. He was responding to a question by a reporter about the government’s position after Turkey had proposed a new joint mission involving itself, Pakistan and Hungary to protect the Kabul International Airport.
The prime minister mentioned his meeting with Turkish defence minister retired General Hulusi Akar on Wednesday, which also discussed the security situation in the region including Afghanistan. “We will also talk to the Taliban and use our influence for a meeting with Turkish government,” he said.
Imran Khan said the Afghan government was getting extremely critical about Pakistan, considering that it had “some magic powers” to persuade the Taliban.
He said in fact, persuading the Taliban had become more difficult. “Now, our leverage on the Taliban is miniscule as they think that they have won against the Americans,” he said.
The pointed out that the ‘kleptocratic’ government of Afghanistan had made Pakistan a scapegoat for all its misgovernance done in past years. He said the Afghan government was trying everything to get the United States back and intervene in the current situation.
Asked about Pakistan’s stance on Taliban demanding Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to step down, he stressed the need for a “ceasefire at all costs”, adding that the “Doha talks would decide the middle ground for a compromise” between the stakeholders.
Pakistan, he said, would deal with any government in Afghanistan, “elected or selected”, by its people. “An inclusive government would be the best. But if the Taliban do a forceful military takeover, the result will be a civil war and a nightmare for Pakistan,” he added. The prime minister said Pakistan was “worried” about the law and order situation in Afghanistan because any civil war could result in a direct impact on it in the shape of an influx of refugees.
