Mixed signals from Pakistan contributed to the Afghan Taliban’s failure to take action against the banned TTP, according to Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The former government had requested that the interim Afghan government promote reconciliation with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. He also claimed that they had plans to resettle militants in Pakistan.Bilawal said that every Pakistani rejected the notion that terrorists responsible for attacks could ever be considered “friends”. Earlier, In an interview with CNBC, Bhutto-Zardari criticized the PTI government for negotiating with terrorists without any precondition. He called it a “policy of appeasement” that backfired. However, he stated that the current government and military leadership have put an end to this policy.
Pak-Aghan Border
Bhutto-Zardari told DW Urdu that Pakistan’s porous border with Afghanistan, which the new government lacks the capacity to manage, has given terrorist groups in Afghanistan space to cause significant problems for Pakistan. Bilawal said that Pakistan will remain at a high security risk. Til the terrorist threats from Afghanistan are resolved, He added. Bhutto-Zardari stated that Pakistan has informed Afghanistan that failing to take action against banned groups can affect bilateral relations between the two countries.
Political Unrest by IK
Bhutto-Zardari was also questioned about the political future of former prime minister Imran Khan. He stated that he never rules out anything in politics and that if Khan pursues a democratic path and commits to playing a constitutional role, he can have a future. The PPP chairman claimed that Khan has been requesting the military’s help in regaining power since his ousting. Bhutto-Zardari stated that the military’s announcement that they would step away from intervening in politics should be welcomed.
On Economy
In terms of Pakistan’s economy, Bilawal claimed that the loss of standing crops as a result of flooding disturbed economy. He said that the coronavirus pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, also had an impact. Bilawal said that there should be no doubt about Pakistan’s ability to honour its debt commitments. Pakistan is taking various steps to solve the economic crisis. Exporting labour to earn forex reserves and resuming trade talks with the US are few of them. Bhutto-Zardari stated that countries in the Middle East and China have expressed interest in helping Pakistan.
