Afghanistan president at UN urges dialogue with Pakistan to curb extremism

[hadi123]

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani appealed Tuesday to Pakistan to work together to curb extremists, seeing an opportunity as the US sends in more troops.

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Ghani said US President Donald Trump's new Afghan strategy sent a signal to Taliban guerrillas that they cannot win on the field and must negotiate peace.

“We welcome this strategy, which has now set us on a pathway to certainty. The Afghan people have looked to the United States for this type of resolve for years,” Ghani said.

Trump last month announced an Afghanistan strategy that reversed his previous calls to wind down America's longest war, which was launched after the September 11, 2001 attacks. He instead has sent thousands more troops to Afghanistan and pledged a tougher line on Pakistan for its alleged support to militants.

“We now also have an opportunity for a dialogue with our neighbours on how we can work together earnestly to eliminate terrorism and contain extremism,” Ghani said.

“I call upon Pakistan to engage with us on a comprehensive state to state dialogue on peace, security and regional cooperation leading to prosperity,” he said.

Fractious Pakistan-US relations got further strained last month when President Trump unveiled his administration’s policy on Afghanistan and South Asia. The policy lays special emphasis on kinetic operations to subdue Taliban militancy in Afghanistan, envisions greater role for India in Afghanistan and the overall regional security, and has been particularly hawkish on Pakistan accusing it of being an insincere partner in the fight against terrorism.

The new policy, which was seen here as humiliating, disrespectful to Pakistani sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, and indifferent to Islamabad’s security concerns, prompted a re-assessment of ties at the highest level.

The process is yet to complete, but indications from different levels of government point towards an existing consensus that there is no other option, but to stay engaged with US.

Despite challenges in their relationship, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the US have launched a new trilateral mechanism to counter Daesh threat. A meeting of the trilateral process was hosted by Afghanistan last week where the three pledged to continue the fight against the common threat of terrorism.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1358887/a...rges-dialogue-with-pakistan-to-curb-extremism

 

[ahmedzee]

Someone tell this moronic Afghan president that it is his country where all the troops are. Yet an attack can't be prevented? Secure your own home first before asking Pakistan to do more. When Pakistan suggest fencing the border, he is the one who panics and shouts the most. We all know why he wants a porous borders. This indian stooge needs to realize, that he is giving access to India in conducting terrorist activities in Pakistan, through that same border. I hope Pakistan challenges him in the UN on global front.

 

[King-Misbah]

Someone tell this moronic Afghan president that it is his country where all the troops are. Yet an attack can't be prevented? Secure your own home first before asking Pakistan to do more. When Pakistan suggest fencing the border, he is the one who panics and shouts the most. We all know why he wants a porous borders. This indian stooge needs to realize, that he is giving access to India in conducting terrorist activities in Pakistan, through that same border. I hope Pakistan challenges him in the UN on global front.

Pakistan would not dare Afghanistan; unfortunately, we have become a timid nation.

 

[waqar goraya]

There is no harm in a thorough dialogue on complex security matters.

 

[waqar goraya]

There is no harm in a thorough dialogue on complex security matters.

I take back my words. I thought he was acting sensibly by reaching out to Pakistan but then this happened.

Afghan president says Pakistan must crush militant hideouts

Neither Trump nor Ghani mentioned Pakistan when they appeared publicly together after their discussion. But Ghani said Pakistan's role is a key part of the Trump plan announced last month to end America's longest war and eliminate a rising extremist threat in Afghanistan. “Reduction of safe havens is absolutely necessary,” Ghani told National Public Radio in an interview broadcast on Thursday.

The Trump administration in August infuriated Pakistan by accusing Islamabad of providing extremists haven.

The US also has threatened to withhold military aid despite Pakistan's repeat assertions that it has acted against Taliban insurgents and members of the Haqqani network.

“I hope that this time, Pakistan will get the message loud and clear that business as usual cannot continue. It's not in their interest. It's not in anyone's interest,” Ghani said.

“Pakistan has never had this type of dialogue with the US and I hope that wisdom and shared national interests will prevail.”

After meeting Ghani, Trump praised efforts to drive the Taliban and militant groups out of Afghanistan.

He said joint Afghan-US forces have made headway against Taliban, “hitting them hard and hitting them effectively.”

Senior officials have said Trump's plan for Afghanistan involves sending up to 3,900 additional US troops on top of the roughly 8,400 Americans now in the country.

Ghani stressed that Afghan forces are leading the fight. He said he isn't seeking “a blank check” of unlimited American help.

Ghani said earlier in the week the Trump administration's four-year objective is to bring 80 per cent of the country back under the government's control. The Taliban currently hold sway in nearly half of the nation.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1359138/afghan-president-says-pakistan-must-crush-militant-hideouts

Blaming Pakistan where as as per his own estimate they have control over less than 80 percent area. Now, less than 80 percent could be 1 percent or 79 percent.

 

[sshakir411]

Only when you have full control of your country, sir. Till then you're not even considered representing the Afghans.