Khan seeks political solution in Afghanistan before Sept

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for a political settlement before American forces exit Afghanistan.

In a freewheeling interview with Axios on HBO, Khan vented his feelings of anxiousness. “Without a political settlement, there is a possibility of a civil war.”

To him, a political settlement would mean a coalition government between the Taliban and the Afghan leadership. “There is no other solution.”

Asked whether the Biden administration had made a mistake by announcing the withdrawal date, he replied: “They have got themselves in such a big mess.

“They had to give some sort of timeframe, but the moment they gave a timeframe the Taliban would have considered that a victory,” he added.

Pakistan would deal with whoever represented the people of Afghanistan, explained the premier, who fielded a volley of queries from the interviewer.

Asked about Taliban’s resurgence, Khan said he was not a spokesman for the insurgent movement. He saw no point in suggesting what the Taliban should be doing or should not be doing.

If the Taliban went for an all-out victory, he warned, there would be an incredible amount of bloodshed and the country that would suffer the most after Afghanistan was going to be Pakistan, he said.

“Before leaving Afghanistan, the US must find a political solution,” Khan maintained, cautioning against the pursuit of a military victory.

With foreign troops expected to complete their withdrawal from Afghanistan by September 11, the peace process is facing hurdles due to disputes among Afghan leaders.

He made clear Pakistan would not allow the US Air Force to use its airspace for airstrikes against the Taliban. He said Pakistan would not be a part of any conflict.

Pushed for a clear answer, the prime minister replied. “Why would the Americans bomb Afghanistan when it hasn’t worked for 20 years?”

He also spoke about growing Islamophobia in the West, Uighur Muslims and the situation in Palestine, Libya, Somalia and Syria.

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