ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that the Taliban are a group driven by their interests and their remarks should neither be trusted nor taken at face value.
While talking to private news channel, Asif stated that Pakistan’s security forces maintain discipline unlike “the Taliban who observe no rules of engagement.” He further mentioned that Pakistan anticipates no outcome, from them.
Asif challenged the Taliban assertions of following principles. “In what religion or community is it permissible to reside on someone’s land and then spill blood and ignite fires there? Which Shariah do the Taliban abide by? To which Shariah are they alluding?” he inquired.
The Defence Minister expressed that Pakistan seeks peace within the region noting that stability there would be advantageous, to all nations. Nonetheless he maintained that the Taliban’s conduct has shown no indication of improvement. “They are ruining their nation and its people ” he stated.
Khawaja Asif reiterated that the Taliban behave as per their own plans and it is useless to rely on their assurances.
On the topic of regional trade, he said that Afghanistan can look for other trade routes if that is its desire. He further stated that there is nothing wrong with Kabul establishing relations with India if that is their mutual intention.
Khawaja Asif urges Afghanistan to act wisely for regional peace
On November 6, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has called on the Afghan government to come up with a positive attitude and be responsible so that the region could enjoy a durable peace and stability.
The minister speaking to the press at the Parliament House in the capital city mentioned that a Pakistani team had already left for negotiations with militants of the Afghan Taliban that are going to take place tomorrow. “There is no ambiguity in our demand no terrorism should push out from Afghan land,” he declared.
The defence minister further said that if there is no hope for progress, then only time would be wasted with such discussions.
“There would be no further dialogue if there is no progress, as such talks would be just a waste of time,” he remarked.
Khawaja Asif reaffirmed the need of Afghan rulers to be prudent, as he considered that the peace of Afghanistan was directly proportional to that of the whole region stability.
Khawaja Asif, discussing the 27th Constitutional Amendment, said it was premature to predict the outcome of the discussions.
“There are complaints raised, I am not allowing myself to say anything at this point. The issue will be clearer next week,” he added, mentioning that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had a right to judge.
He went on to say that the government would place the amendment’s final draft only post-consultation with all political factions.
