The Afghan Ambassador To Pakistan Called On Imran Khan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Tuesday that he wants to see an open border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

According to the press release of PTI:

The Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan, Mohammed Umar Daudzai, called on PTI Chairman Imran Khan at his residence on 14th February, and a frank exchange of ideas took place. Mr Khan expressed his regret that successive Pakistani regimes backed different Afghan groups instead of simply supporting what was good for the people of Afghanistan. But he hoped both countries would move forward and some good can come through dialogue and understanding.

Mr Khan said his dream was to see an open border between a friendly and peaceful Pakistan and Afghanistan. Ambassador Daudzai talked about how different agreements were imposed on the Afghans throughout history since the Soviet invasion, including the arrival of US and NATO forces. Afghanistan, he said was not even represented in the UNSC resolutions on ISAF. He felt that this situation would continue for at least four more years. But the Afghan ambassador said his country has been investing very heavily in human development including higher education. So he felt Afghanistan today is a different Afghanistan from that of 2001. But he felt there is no awareness of the changed Afghanistan in Pakistan. Khan expressed the hope that with the US withdrawal there would be no repeat of 1989 and civil war again.

The Ambassador explained why this would not happen. But he did concede that Khan’s concerns were genuine. Discussion also focused on the new thinking within the Taliban who are more accommodating. The different types of Taliban were also discussed. Imran felt Pakistan and Afghanistan should have a relationship free of the excess baggage of the past and of India, although the latter factor cannot be ignored. The ambassador explained that the forthcoming visit of President Karzai is different from past visits. Afghanistan wants to establish a relationship with Pakistan that is free from any other power, as they have done with Iran. But this has to be done with the whole country not just the government. Mr Khan informed the Ambassador that he could assure Mr Karzai that in relation to Mr Khan he is preaching to the converted! But Mr Khan reiterated that they have to deal with the Indian dimension. The Ambassador expressed regret that Mr Khan would not be here to meet President Karzai as the latter was very keen to meet him.

 

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