By Our Diplomatic Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that Pakistan would accept whatever decision Afghanistan makes after the pullout of American troops, scorning indian role in the Afghan soil which it has used to organize terrorism against Pakistan. He said India has left no option but to run away from Afghanistan.
Talking to a presser in Rawalpindi on Sunday, Interior Minister Rashid said that Pakistan would agree to any decision taken by Afghanistan. He said that Afghanistan had been fighting for half of the century. “Now new and suave Taliban have emerged. These Taliban do not sort things through gun barrel,” Mr Rashid said and added that it was vital for the whole region to settle affairs with Taliban through dialogue.
He was of the opinion that no Chinese and Iranian investment could be done without the restoration of peace in Afghanistan. The Uzbekistan train project is linked with the peace in Afghanistan, he added. The interior minister stated that it was Islamabad’s desire that there would be peace in Afghanistan. He hoped that Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, Abdullah Abdullah, former president Hamid Karzai and Mullah Baradar became one.Mr Rashid foresaw Pakistan, China, Russia and Iran in a changed region. “The situation in the region is going to be changed,” he added.
He said that India had become butt of a joke in the region. He said that India had no choice but to retreat from Afghanistan.“India has organized terrorism in Afghanistan against Pakistan and disseminated false news to the world against Pakistan,” he stated.
He maintained that Pakistan stood with rest of the world on the issue of peace in Afghanistan. He categorically denied to provide military/air bases to any country against Afghanistan. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision not to give bases was resolute. He said Pakistani nation also wanted that we would not become a tool in this matter. He denied any pressure on Pakistan in this regard.
Interior Minister Rashid stated that no superpower in the world could condone Pakistan. He opined that the government and Pakistan Army together would pave way for restoration of peace in Afghanistan. On stranded people in Afghanistan, Mr Rashid said that vaccinated people would be allowed to cross into Pakistan through Torkham border.
