Gulf still remains on Afghan policy

Divergent statements from Pakistan, US on talks indicate the persisting divide

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States appear to be struggling to find common ground on the Afghan endgame as the two sides issued divergent statements on Thursday at the conclusion of a visit by a top American general.

US Central Command Chief General Joseph Votel, who was on a two-day visit to Islamabad, held wide-ranging talks with top Pakistani military leadership including Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Hayat, Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar.

Gen Votel, while expressing appreciation for Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, conveyed a message from the Trump administration that Pakistan must prevent all militants from operating within and across its borders, according to a statement issued by the US Embassy.

The statement suggests that the US is far from convinced when Pakistan says it is doing whatever it can to eradicate militant groups.

The official handout issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) would not say if the US general conveyed any such remarks during the meeting with the army chief.

According to the military's media wing, the army chief emphasised that Pakistan had done its best in the fight against terrorism, despite constraints.

Gen Qamar insisted that such efforts would continue for the sake of the country’s future, in line with the aspirations of Pakistani people.

The emphasis on “the aspirations of Pakistani people” seems to indicate that Islamabad may not compromise on its core interests in the region.

The army chief also informed the Centcom chief that despite Pakistan’s enormous efforts, Afghanistan was not doing enough to secure the border. This was evident from the continued attacks from across the border, he pointed out.



The ISPR statement said discussions focused on regional security situation including Afghanistan, Pak-Afghan border management, and Pakistan’s positive contributions towards peace and stability in the region.

“Peace in Afghanistan is more important for Pakistan than any other country,” the army chief was quoted as telling the visiting US general.

And according to the US Embassy statement, General Votel continued senior-level US engagement with Pakistani leaders, advancing the Trump Administration’s South Asia policy goals.

He discussed the importance of improved Afghanistan-Pakistan relations and emphasised the need for strengthened border security, including measures to coordinate military operations along both sides of the border.

“Votel underscored the vital role Pakistan can play in facilitating a peace process in Afghanistan and in bringing stability and security to the region,” the statement said.

In his meetings, Votel expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He acknowledged the progress Pakistan had made but stressed the Trump administration’s message that Pakistan must prevent all militants from operating within and across its borders.