Leftover US arms in Afghanistan imperil Pak security: FO
Pakistan has thrown its weight behind President Donald Trump's concerns regarding the US weapons left behind in Afghanistan, saying advance weapons have jeopardised the country's security.
A day before his inauguration, Trump spoke about the leftover US weapons in Afghanistan. He asked the interim Taliban government to return the weapons if they were to receive any US aid.
Taliban rejected the demand and instead asked the US President to supply more weapons to Afghanistan.
Responding to President Trump's statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan noted: "The presence of US advance weapons in Afghanistan, left behind in the aftermath of the withdrawal of its troops in August 2021, has been an issue of profound concern for the safety and security of Pakistan and its citizens."
"These weapons have been used by terrorist organizations, including the TTP, to carry out terrorist attacks in Pakistan. We have been repeatedly calling upon the de facto authorities in Kabul to take all necessary measures to ensure that these weapons do not fall into the wrong hands," the spokesperson added.
There is no official number but some estimates suggest that the US left advance weapons in Afghanistan worth $7 billion.
During talks between Pakistan and the Taliban officials, Islamabad raised the issue Kabul. In one such recent interaction, Pakistani officially confronted the Taliban government with evidence of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) using the American weapons.
When Taliban government rejected Pakistan's stance that TTP was being encouraged by Kabul, Islamabad asked Kabul then how did TTP get hands on the US weapons that Afghan Taliban only had access to after the withdrawal of foreign forces? To this, according to official sources, the Taliban authorities had no convincing answer.
Previously the Biden administration dismissed Pakistan's concerns regarding the leftover weapons. However, Trump's statement endorsed Pakistan's concerns.
Since taking charge, Trump has adopted a tough stance towards the Taliban government. The Trump Administration suspended aid to Afghanistan as well as put on hold Afghan refugee settlement plan.
The suspension of aid has aggravated the humanitarian conditions and local currency shed its value against US$.
It is reported that US was transferring around $50 million every week to Afghanistan under humanitarian assistance. Since its withdrawal from Afghanistan, US provided $3 billion to Afghanistan, the largest contribution by any country for humanitarian needs.
The flow of foreign assistance helped the Taliban government to keep its economy afloat. However, suspension of foreign assistance would compound Afghan problems with 23 million desperately need help.