0
0
The us is reviewing its relationship with Pakistan, which may be a Major Non-Nato Ally (MNNA), in sight of its role in Afghanistan over the last 20 years and more, which, secretary of state Antony Blinken told lawmakers at a hearing on Monday, amounted to “hedging its bets”.
Antony Blinken also delivered a really clear message to Pakistan telling it to “line up” with the broad majority of countries to force the Taliban regime to uphold the essential rights of Afghan people, including women and children; allow humanitarian assistance and form a representative government.
TESTY EXCHANGES
Antony Blinken testified on Monday on the pullout of yank troops from Afghanistan at a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The nearly five-hour session was marked by testy exchanges with Republican lawmakers and occasional rap-on-the-knuckles from Democrats.
He goes before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday.
House lawmakers grilled the secretary of state on a variety of issues concerning the withdrawal – the timeline, being surprised by the collapse of the Ashraf Ghani government, the unplanned and chaotic evacuation and, leaving without ensuring every American citizen Afghan ally had been evacuated.
DUPLICITOUS PAKISTAN
Two Democratic lawmakers – Bill Keating and Joaquin Castro – mentioned Pakistan. Calling Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan “duplicitous”, Keating asked if the administration was reviewing the connection with Pakistan, its status together of only 17 countries that the us has designated MNNAs.
The other MNNAs are Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, and Tunisia (Taiwan gets an equivalent treatment without the official designation).
Pakistan was added to the list in 2004 for its role within the war in Afghanistan and therefore the search for the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks.
Pakistan’s role is coming under increased scrutiny and criticism. Andy Biggs, a Republican member of the House of Representative and a staunch ally of former president Donald Trump, had introduced a bill within the House in January calling for ending Pakistan’s status as an MNNA.
Given its future support for the Taliban, is it time for the us to reassess its relationship with Pakistan and reassess its status as a serious non-Nato ally,” asked Representative Castro, who was following up a line of questioning on Pakistan opened by fellow Democrat Keating.
Secretary of state Antony Blinken replied: “For the explanations you’ve cited also as others, this is often one among the items that we’re getting to be looking within the days and weeks ahead: the role that Pakistan has played over the last 20 years but also the role that we might want to ascertain it play within the coming years, and what it’ll deem it to try to to that.”
A US secretary of State couldn’t are more openly scathing of Pakistan’s role at this point when Islamabad has reclaimed its pre-eminent position in Afghanistan’s present and future, and its continued influence over its creation, the Taliban. The US also needs Pakistan’s cooperation for the safe passage of its citizens, partners out of Afghanistan.
Representative Keating mentioned Pakistan first at the hearing. He was troubled by the connection with Pakistan. Recalling its role within the creation and labelling of the Taliban, he went on to nail Pakistan’s deeply entrenched interest by citing Prime Minister Imran Khan’s quote that Afghanistan had broken “the shackles of slavery” when the Taliban took back power.
“We wont to always hear diplomatically that we’ve a sophisticated relationship with … Pakistan,” Keating said. “I would say it’s often duplicitous.”
Antony Blinken said he agreed with the congressman’s assessment of the role played by Pakistan over the past 20 years and even before.
It’s been one, he said, that has “involved hedging its bets constantly about the longer term of Afghanistan; it’s one that’s involved harbouring members of the Taliban, including the Haqqanis; it’s one that’s also involved, at different points, cooperation with us on counterterrorism”.
Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan has also been shaped by its concerns about India therein country, the secretary of state added. He didn’t elaborate.
INDIA’S DEVELOPMENT ROLE
India has completed quite 500 development projects in Afghanistan within the last 20 years, with footprints altogether of its 34 provinces, at an estimated $3 billion. India has also been a preferred destination for Afghan people for higher studies – former president Hamid Karzai studied in India – and medical treatment. Bollywood productions are more popular there than the other places, and therefore the best and most talented Afghan cricketers play within the top professional league in India.
Pakistan, on the opposite hand, is viewed by most Afghans as a sponsor and mentor of a regressive regime that denies them rights and privileges enjoyed by most Pakistanis in Pakistan.
GOING FORWARD
“We need to check out as an insistence that each country, to incorporate Pakistan, observe on the expectations that the international community has of what’s required of a Taliban-led government,” Antony Blinken said because the hearing, chatting with the connection with Pakistan going forward.
India, the us and other countries have said the Taliban regime can expect to urge international recognition and legitimacy and financial assistance as long as they will verifiably guarantee basic rights for its citizens, including women, children and minorities.
“Pakistan must line up with a broad majority of the international community in working towards those ends and upholding those, those expectations,” Antony Blinken said.
