** objection to US troop surge in Afghanistan: Aizaz
 

WASHINGTON: Pakistan has ** objection to new US policy towards Afghanistan involving a possible troop surge, but the country wants to see lasting peace in the neighborhood through an ultimate political process, Islamabad’s top diplomat in Washington said.

“We have ** objection to the new US strategy in Afghanistan. It is for the United States to chalk out its plan but we have clearly conveyed our message to this administration that Pakistan wants lasting peace in the neighboring country and will do everything to help achieve that,” Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry told The News in an interview. When asked about recent border clashes in Chaman, the ambassador urged the United States to play its role in stopping attacks against Pakistan from Afghan side as such incidents are **t good for ties between neighbors.

The ambassador who met US National Security Adviser Gen H. R. McMaster last week said there could be mi**r differences in points of view but both Pakistan and United States want peace in the country.

“It is true that all countries do **t have similar point of view on any issue. Every country has different angles and perspective. But to the best of my understanding US also want peace in Afghanistan. The same is Pakistan’s desire so why don’t we work together,” he said.

According Pentagon policy official Theresa Whelan, President Trump will receive a proposed new approach to the Afghan war within a week. Top US general in Afghanistan Gen. John Nicholson had told US lawmakers earlier this year that war in Afghanistan was undergoing a stalemate.

Theresa Whelan said the new approach would be aimed at breaking the stalemate. The Pentagon has also conveyed to the US lawmakers that the new strategy could include more US troops and changes in rules of engagement for US forces. The US media reported that 5000 to 8,000 additional troops could be sent to Afghanistan, after approval of the policy by President Trump.

When asked about the possible surge under the new Trump policy, Ambassador Chaudhry ack**wledged the need to strengthen Afghan national security forces. “If America thinks that surge will help in strengthening Afghan forces than it should implement that plan. We have ** objection to that. We are saying whatever step US takes, the overall strategy should be political solution so that sustainable peace could be achieved.”

Pakistan believes that there is a need for political solution. “In our opinion, there is ** military solution in Afghanistan. Spilling more blood will **t bring any resolution. There is a need for political process and Pakistan and other countries should extend their full cooperation in that process so that Afghan people can resolve their disputes as sovereign nation.”

Pakistan wants all people of Afghanistan to get together and chalk out their political future, the ambassador said adding that Pakistan, China and US should facilitate the Afghan people in achieving their destination.

“This is our point of view which I conveyed to top US official in the meeting. We have given them clear message about policy review which is that peace in Afghanistan is one of the top priorities of Pakistan’s. ** other country suffers as much as Pakistan does if Afghanistan is unstable,” the ambassador said.

Aizaz Chauhdry believes Pakistan has broken the back of terrorist in a country wide successful operation. In the area of eco**my Pakistan is getting so much positive coverage in international media.

“Yesterday I received a big delegations ExxonMobil, before that we met General Electric (GE) people. These companies are making big investments in Pakistan. Also companies from China, Turkey and other countries making huge investment in the country.” So in this environment, he said, Pakistan desperately wants peace so that the fruits of this progress could be shared with Afghanistan.”

“This is our message to America. Let’s work together and bring peace in the entire region,” he said. The ambassador said the meeting with McMaster was part of his schedule. “After presenting my credentials to President Trump I wanted to meet all the Cabinet ranked US officials.

The objective of these contacts is to communicate Pakistan’s point of view to American leadership.” About the recent attack by Afghan forces in Chaman, he said the meeting took place before that but he stressed that the relation between Pakistan and Afghan governments are very important and they should maintain high level contacts.

“Pakistan has **t fallen short on its efforts in this regard. Our National Assembly speaker visited with a political delegation and top military officials also met their counterparts so Pakistan is doing its part because it understands that talks between the two governments are key to achieve our shared goals.

“That is why ** matter what statement is issued from Afghanistan, there are ** provocative statements from Pakistan side. We want to convey message of peace,” he said. He said proper border management was very important to prevent incidents like Chaman.

“These kind of incidents are **t good for Pakistan and Afghanistan. Afghanistan should play its role in stopping such activities and America should also play that role.” Pakistan, he said, sincerely want to make the border safe with pure intentions. “We want the terrorist **t to undertake any activity on any side of the border. This is our main objective. For that border management is very important.”

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