Unfortunate to blame Pak for Afghanistan’s situation, says Imran Khan

TIL Desk/World/Islamabad/ Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Afghanistan’s repeated accusations against his country for being responsible for its worsening situation was unfortunate, adding that Islamabad has always desired for peace and an inclusive government setup for its neighbour as it goes in favour of the two nations.

Speaking to journalists and Afghan in Islamabad, Khan said Pakistan is not the spokesperson for the Taliban nor does it have anything to do with what the militant group is doing in Afghanistan. “What the Taliban are doing or not doing has nothing to do with us and we are not responsible, neither are we the spokesperson of the Taliban,” he said, adding that “Pakistan has always desired for peace in Afghanistan”.

Khan said Pakistan has been and continues to be willing to go to every extent required to ensure a peaceful settlement in Afghanistan. However, he ruled out the use of force against the Taliban. “We believe that Afghanistan cannot be controlled from the outside. Our policy is to have the best relationship with whoever the people of Afghanistan choose,” he said. Referring to the US’ demand of using Pakistani bases to carry out operations in Afghanistan, Khan said: “I fail to understand what can the US achieve in Afghanistan while sitting on the outside, as it badly failed while being inside Afghanistan for 20 years.”