June 22, 2021
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has cautioned the world of the risk of a civil war in Afghanistan if foreign troops leave the war-torn country without a political settlement.
The prime minister made this statement during an interview with American journalist Jonathan Swan for HBO Axios.
PM Imran Khan reiterated the country’s stance on providing bases to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for action in Afghanistan, saying Pakistan will “absolutely not” give military bases, as Pakistan has suffered the most due to the war against terrorism.
“Over 70,000 Pakistanis embraced martyrdom due to the US-Afghan war. We have given sacrifices more than anybody else in this war,” stated PM Imran Khan adding that his country is currently hosting three million Afghan refugees.
The premier specified: “We only want peace and don’t want to be part of any confrontation.”
“Before leaving Afghanistan, the US must find a political solution,” he stressed.
The remarks from the Pakistani premier came amid the initiation of the withdrawal of foreign troops, which will be accomplished by September, while the peace process is facing obstacles due to disagreements amongst the Afghan leaders.
Responding to a question about Pakistan’s nuclear posture, Mr. Khan stated that the country’s nuclear programme is only for self-defense.
“I am against nuclear weapons, but our nuclear arsenal is for defense purposes,” he said
Condemning the West’s indifference towards the troubles of the Kashmiris, the PM said India has turned Kashmir into an open prison by deploying hundreds of troops there.
“The Kashmiris are ignored by the West. Why is this issue not taken up there? I think this is hypocrisy,” he said.
He also commended China for supporting Pakistan at hours of need and ensured that Pakistan and China have been discussing the issue of Uighur Muslims privately.
© Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and Afghan Studies Center (ASC), Islamabad.
