Afghan peace process: FO to brief Senators on Pakistan’s role
Foreign affairs committee to propose Islamabad doesn’t interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs
Foreign affairs committee to propose Islamabad doesn’t interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
The Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs would suggest Pakistan doesn’t get involved in the internal affairs of Afghanistan unless officially asked for. The committee has asked the Foreign Office to brief its members on Tuesday about the proposed role of Pakistan and China in peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
“We will ask the government not to interfere in the internal affairs [of Afghanistan] in the name of mediation because such interference in the past proved disastrous for Pakistan’s own security,” said the committee’s chairman, Senator Haji Adeel.
“Pakistan should leave Afghanistan as an independent and autonomous state and should not interfere in its matters without a formal request from Kabul,” he said.
Senator Adeel said we have asked the Foreign Office to brief the committee on how Islamabad wanted to play a role in proposed talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
Pakistan’s negative role in the past had implications for its internal situation and such mistakes should not be repeated, he added. “We don’t want to see any proxy war on Afghan soil and such proxies can implications the entire region.”
About China’s role in Afghanistan, Senator Adeel said Beijing has never played a direct role in the past and now it is also worried about militancy on its own soil. “If China can play any positive role in Afghanistan for restoring peace, then it should go ahead because it is a key regional power,” he added.
The committee has also sought briefing from the Foreign Office on the outcome of the recent visit of the Indian foreign secretary to Islamabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2015.
The Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs would suggest Pakistan doesn’t get involved in the internal affairs of Afghanistan unless officially asked for. The committee has asked the Foreign Office to brief its members on Tuesday about the proposed role of Pakistan and China in peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
“We will ask the government not to interfere in the internal affairs [of Afghanistan] in the name of mediation because such interference in the past proved disastrous for Pakistan’s own security,” said the committee’s chairman, Senator Haji Adeel.
“Pakistan should leave Afghanistan as an independent and autonomous state and should not interfere in its matters without a formal request from Kabul,” he said.
Senator Adeel said we have asked the Foreign Office to brief the committee on how Islamabad wanted to play a role in proposed talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
Pakistan’s negative role in the past had implications for its internal situation and such mistakes should not be repeated, he added. “We don’t want to see any proxy war on Afghan soil and such proxies can implications the entire region.”
About China’s role in Afghanistan, Senator Adeel said Beijing has never played a direct role in the past and now it is also worried about militancy on its own soil. “If China can play any positive role in Afghanistan for restoring peace, then it should go ahead because it is a key regional power,” he added.
The committee has also sought briefing from the Foreign Office on the outcome of the recent visit of the Indian foreign secretary to Islamabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2015.