Bring a less arrogant and hostile mindset: Mazari hits out at Khalilzad

Credits PM Imran for 'compelling' Trump to do a reality check on the Afghan peace process

Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari on Tuesday decimated US State Department's Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad for his approach towards Islamabad.

Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, Mazari advised Khalilzad to bring a "less arrogant and hostile mindset" during his visit to Islamabad.

This time perhaps you shd bring a less arrogant and hostile mindset when you visit Islamabad! https://t.co/T4Y9xBgVxq

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) December 4, 2018

It is pertinent to note that the US diplomat arrived in the federal capital early morning to hold talks with Pakistan officials pertaining to the regional situation and further Trump administration's peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

Khalilzad is scheduled to visit eight countries, including Afghanistan, Russia and the United Arab Emirates. In his October trip, the US special envoy held a series of meetings with the Pakistani leadership as part of Washington’s renewed push to bring the Afghan Taliban on to the negotiating table.

Mazari also credited Prime Minister Imran Khan for promptly responding to US President Donald Trump's Twitter tirade. Referring to the letter by Trump seeking Pakistan's help in Afghan peace talks, she claimed the premier's reply had 'compelled Trump to do a reality check'.

"So much for those in Pakistan who were quivering after Imran Khan's tweets," she added.

PM IK's response to Trump's offensive tweets against Pak compelled Trump to do a reality chk & write to PM Khan asking for help in bringing peace to Afghanistan! So much for those in Pak who were quivering after IK's tweets went out!

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) December 4, 2018

In the letter, the United States had sought PM Imran's full support to advance Afghan peace process. The correspondence came after Trump accused Pakistan of "doing nothing" despite receiving "billions of dollars" in aid.

Of course we should have captured Osama Bin Laden long before we did. I pointed him out in my book just BEFORE the attack on the World Trade Center. President Clinton famously missed his shot. We paid Pakistan Billions of Dollars & they never told us he was living there. Fools!..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2018

The premier had hit back to the allegations by advising Washington to assess its efficiency in the war on terror instead of making Pakistan a scapegoat for its failure.

Trump’s false assertions add insult to the injury Pak has suffered in US WoT in terms of lives lost & destabilised & economic costs. He needs to be informed abt historical facts. Pak has suffered enough fighting US's war. Now we will do what is best for our people & our interests

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 19, 2018

Although both the US and Pakistan now have a commonality of views on seeking a political solution to the Afghan problem, the trust deficit between the two is the real stumbling block. Relations between the two countries are tense despite recent efforts to reset the troubled ties.



At the heart of their stalemate is the US insistence on Pakistan to do more to bring the Afghan Taliban on to the negotiating table. Washington still believes that Islamabad holds a considerable sway over the insurgent group.

Pakistan, however, dispelled that impression and insisted that bringing the insurgents on the negotiating table is a shared responsibility of all the players.