Pakistan’s foreign minister says there could be a civil war if Afghan leaders fail at the negotiating table.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told Tuloo news Afghanistan that the Taliban were not the only perpetrators of violence in Afghanistan and that other elements clinging to power were also carrying out acts of violence.
The talks are aimed at exploring the possibility of peaceful coexistence between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Qureshi says at the beginning of the interview that Pakistan’s strategy towards Afghanistan has changed.
He explains: “What has changed is Pakistan’s solution. We want Afghanistan to be peaceful and stable. Because we feel that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan provides us with a connection to large areas. If you are looking for economic security, if you are looking to invest and develop bilateral and regional trade relations, this can only be achieved through peace. Peace and stability in Afghanistan is not only Afghanistan’s need, but also Pakistan’s desire. “We benefit from it.”
He adds: “The way the world works has changed. People believed that peace could be achieved through military means; this did not happen. We have been emphasizing for years that there is no military solution to the war in Afghanistan. What has changed is the emergence of a new solution. What is needed is a political solution through dialogue, which we were in favor of. “The international approach has changed and made this space for peace more decisive than ever.”
According to the Independent, however, he also rejected the establishment of a Taliban government in Afghanistan, saying: “no no no! It is up to the Afghan people to decide who will rule them and how they want the political structure of Afghanistan. This is your decision. This is the decision of the Afghan people. What we are saying is that you are all Afghans. Peace comes to Afghanistan only when you sit down and compromise. If you sit down and compromise and negotiate, you will decide for yourself what constitution you want and what military system should be created. What we are proposing is that a comprehensive system can help compromise and advance the peace process.”
Qureshi says: “We honestly feel we can work together. Your soldiers come here; your diplomats come here, at the Foreign Service Academy, at our military institutions. We can cooperate. We speak one language. We have many similarities in terms of culture. “They will feel at home.”
Part of this conversation is about the presence of Taliban leaders in Pakistan. TOLOnews asks that Taliban leaders are among the Afghans living in Pakistan. Qureshi replies: “Not! I’m not saying they have no relationship here; But most of their leaders, I say with complete confidence, do not live in Pakistan. “In fact, they live in Afghanistan.”
TOLOnews: “Taliban negotiators are coming to Pakistan for consultations in Doha. They have acknowledged this. “Brother Mullah has come here many times.”
Qureshi: “It has been to facilitate the peace process.”
TOLOnews: Â They are going to Quetta to see their fighters in the city’s hospitals.
Qureshi: “They are going to Doha. They have traveled to other parts as well. They went to Moscow. “They went to other parts as well.”
TOLOnews: “We have not seen a video of them coming to Helmand, Kabul or Kandahar.”
Qureshi: “They are in Afghanistan. You need to connect with them. We are in contact with them to facilitate the peace process. We strive to be effective. We try to be constructive. Many at the international level have realized this; But some in Afghanistan still refuse to accept the fact that Pakistan has been generous, constructive and honest. Pakistan feels that Pakistan’s interest is in peace and stability in Afghanistan. Why do people in Afghanistan not understand this? I think the Afghan people understand this because, in my view, the Afghan people want peace. »
TOLOnews: “The level of violence is very high, Mr. Minister.”
Qureshi: “They have seen enough violence. They have been seeing violence for decades.
TOLOnews: “There is more violence these days.”
Qureshi: “Yes, unfortunately. Violence must be reduced.”
TOLOnews: “How to reduce violence?”
Qureshi: “We have always been in favor of reducing violence to a ceasefire; because we really believe that you cannot have negotiation and violence at the same time. Violence must be reduced and the peace and negotiation process must be accelerated.”
TOLOnews: “While they are here (Pakistan), they are roaming freely, recruiting here, raising funds and going to Pakistani hospitals. Is all this wrong?”
Qureshi: “These are all from the past.”
TOLOnews: “Are the Taliban ready for peace?”
Qureshi: “In my opinion, yes. They have also suffered.”
Najafizadeh: “The question is about the Taliban; “Do they want peace or war?”
Qureshi: “From my point of view, according to the conversations I had with them …”
TOLOnews: “President Ghani is in power. Do you mean he does not want peace?”
Qureshi: “No, I do not say this; “But in my opinion, President Ghani has a very important responsibility and he must show leadership and flexibility so that …”
TOLOnews: “Flexibility means to step aside?”
Qureshi: “This is his decision but …”
TOLOnews: “Mr. Foreign Minister, you are right, but the question is that the Taliban are also part of the war.”
Qureshi: “Yes.”
Following the conversation, TOLOnews reporter Lotfollah Najafizadeh asked about the whereabouts of Taliban leaders:
TOLOnews: “Hebatullah is not in Pakistan?”
Qureshi: “Ask your government about this.”
TOLOnews: “Siraj Haqqani?”
Qureshi: “Ask your government.”
TOLOnews: “Mullah Yaqub?”
Qureshi: “Continue. Keep naming them.”
TOLOnews: “Sheikh Hakim, the head of the Taliban negotiating team, came here to Pakistan last month to consult with their leaders. They told everyone that.”
Qureshi: “They did not contact me; “So I do not know.”
TOLOnews: “So at least you are not their leader. They may have come to visit you.”
Qureshi: “I am an elected representative of Pakistan.”
TOLOnews: “How will history judge those who hanged President Najibullah?”
Qureshi: “Whoever kills an innocent person must be brought to justice. Human life is important. “Every human being’s life is important, and this is one of the teachings of Islam in any civilized society.”