Pakistan is being accused by John Bolton, the former White House National Security Advisor in order to provide Taliban a safe environment in the territory to live.
“Parts of the Pakistani government are directly responsible for the Taliban’s return to power”, Bolton said in an interview with the Voice of America (VOA).
Pakistan’s intelligence and other internal circles have been in contact with the Taliban for decades, Bolton added.
As the deadline for the evacuation of the US troops approaches and the Taliban have overrun numerous districts across Afghanistan, Bolton blames Pakistan for being “a safe haven for the Taliban” and supporting them against the US and Afghan forces attacks. “I am concerned about the future consequences”, he expressed concern.
At the same time, Bolton warns Pakistan that “if the Taliban seizes the power in Afghanistan, it will also be a threat to Pakistan as the extremist pressure on the Pakistani government will increase”.
Bolton highlighted the proposal of senior US senator, Jim Inhofe, who is also the ranking member in the Senate Armed Services Committee. He has proposed an alternative to a complete military withdrawal from Afghanistan, leaving at least a limited number of troops in Afghanistan. “The complete withdrawal of forces will weaken the morale of the Afghan government and army”, Bolton further added.
When asked about the meeting of President Ghani with President Biden, he stated that “this trip will be the last opportunity for the Afghan government to try to encourage President Biden to gradually provide more time for other signs of continued US support if he does not alter his decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan.” “The meeting is really important for the future of Afghanistan”, he emphasized.
The President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, accompanied by Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the High National Council for Reconciliation Chief, Amrullah Saleh, the first vice president, Hamdullah Mohib, the National Security Advisor, Mohammad Hanif Atmar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Adela Raz, Afghan Representative in UN, Shahrzad Akbar, the head of Human Rights Commission, Fatima Gailani and Habiba Sarabi, the two female members of Afghanistan negotiating team, left for Washington this Wednesday.
The delegation will meet members of the senate, administrator of USAID, Minister of Defense, Secretary of Treasury, veteran-Afghanistan friends, and the president of the US, according to the tentative schedule of Protocol Department of Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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