Mistakes made by Soviets in Afghanistan pull-out not to be repeated: Olson
Federal minister Ahsan Iqbal stresses community building and rehabilitation of Afghans before US pull out is complete.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson says US government would support stability in Pakistan and rehabilitation of Afghan people. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
United States Ambassador to Pakistan, Richard Olson on Monday said the mistakes made by the Soviet in leaving Afghanistan without rehabilitating the local population should not be repeated.
Addressing the launching ceremony of The Talloires Network at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and a seminar on Pak-US Higher Education Initiative on Civic Engagement in Islamabad on Monday, he said that the defunct Soviet Union had withdrawn from Afghanistan without completing the rehabilitation of local population which was a mistake and should be avoided.
"Pakistan has suffered a major challenge of Afghan refugees since long which ultimately has burdened its socio-economic fabric and created instability in the region" Olson said. He added that the US government would support stability in Pakistan and rehabilitation of Afghan people.
Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal seconded Olson as he said that community building and rehabilitation was neglected during the process of withdrawal of Russian forces from Afghanistan which brought great devastation to the region.
At that time, Iqbal said, the weaponised people should have been given proper training and counseling, bringing them into healthy sphere of life. He insisted that now, with the US military pulling out, the aspect of community building and rehabilitation of the people must be given importance.
He said that peace in Afghanistan was need of the hour for stability in the whole region and both Pakistan and United States must continue joint efforts to establish peace in the region.
United States Ambassador to Pakistan, Richard Olson on Monday said the mistakes made by the Soviet in leaving Afghanistan without rehabilitating the local population should not be repeated.
Addressing the launching ceremony of The Talloires Network at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and a seminar on Pak-US Higher Education Initiative on Civic Engagement in Islamabad on Monday, he said that the defunct Soviet Union had withdrawn from Afghanistan without completing the rehabilitation of local population which was a mistake and should be avoided.
"Pakistan has suffered a major challenge of Afghan refugees since long which ultimately has burdened its socio-economic fabric and created instability in the region" Olson said. He added that the US government would support stability in Pakistan and rehabilitation of Afghan people.
Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal seconded Olson as he said that community building and rehabilitation was neglected during the process of withdrawal of Russian forces from Afghanistan which brought great devastation to the region.
At that time, Iqbal said, the weaponised people should have been given proper training and counseling, bringing them into healthy sphere of life. He insisted that now, with the US military pulling out, the aspect of community building and rehabilitation of the people must be given importance.
He said that peace in Afghanistan was need of the hour for stability in the whole region and both Pakistan and United States must continue joint efforts to establish peace in the region.