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Asserting that China and India are to be a factor in the regional prosperity, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has said it is “a moment of choice” for neighbouring Pakistan as all its calculations have been “wrong” so far. Ghani’s statement came after United States President Joe Biden announced plans to withdraw foreign troops from Afghanistan by September 11, ending the longest war in US history.
However, the US president’s announcement has raised concerns in Kabul that Afghanistan could once again be plunged into civil war after withdrawal of international forces. However, the Afghan president said the country had been ready for the evacuation from the past two years.
Afghan President, in an interview, said the country that would be most damaged by insecurity or a renewed civil war in Afghanistan is Pakistan, and in that case, it would be a losing proposition. Afghanistan, in the past, has accused Pakistan of providing safe havens for terror groups that target its territory, especially the Afghan Taliban, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Haqqani group.
Pakistan has always taken steps for the betterment of Afghanistan by ignoring its aggression and has also played a key role in paving the way for dialogue with the Taliban for peace in the neighboring country. Two days earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told his Afghan counterpart that Pakistan would always play a positive conciliatory role for peace in Afghanistan.
Since Ashraf Ghani became President of Afghanistan, he has often expressed skepticism about Pakistan and stirred up controversy. Even last year, tensions escalated over the Afghan president’s irresponsible remarks. The Afghan president did not explain how Pakistan could be friendly and hostile. Ashraf Ghani should acknowledge that Pakistan has played an important role in persuading the Taliban to negotiate with the Afghan government over the years.
With Pakistan’s help, a historic peace agreement was reached in Doha, and on several occasions US officials have praised Pakistan’s role. Pakistan has always supported peace in Afghanistan despite heavy casualties during the Afghan war. Therefore, instead of doubting the goodwill of Pakistan, Ghani should improve the situation in his country so that Afghanistan does not fall into the trap of unrest again after the withdrawal of US forces.
