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Pakistan Moves To ‘Unite’ Region Against Trump Strategy

As global pressure mounts against Pakistan, Islamabad has opted to unite Russia, China and Turkey against the new US strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia.

The remarks were made by Pakistan Foreign Minister Khwaja Asif this week after he suspended his trip to the United Sates. He said he will travel to regional countries and garner their support over the US’s rising pressure against them. 

Pakistan reports indicate that Asif will soon visit Moscow to discuss the US strategy. 

According to these reports, Pakistan has also summoned its ambassadors from regional countries to Islamabad in order to discuss the new US policy. 

Pakistan Defense Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan on Wednesday claimed that 40 percent of Afghanistan’s territory is out of the Kabul government’s control and that these areas serve as safe havens for those who are fighting against the Afghan government.

“The Afghan government does not have control over 40 percent of its territory; therefore, this percentage is a safe haven for those who are fighting the (Kabul) government,” Khan said. “It means that a big part of Afghanistan is a safe haven. But why do they put the blame on Pakistan?”

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted to the remarks and said the claims were baseless. 

“Problems cannot be addressed with baseless allegations. It is better that the Pakistani side eliminate the real safe havens of terrorists instead of putting the blame on us,” said Shakib Mustaghni, spokesman for Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The international community will stand against Pakistan if it does not change its policies,” the defense ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said.

Afghan analysts said Pakistan is trying to achieve the ‘sympathy’ of a number of countries in the region.

“Pakistan cannot make a coalition. It will try to gain the sympathy of countries. It cannot form an alliance because Russia does not want to lose India,” said Nasrullah Stanikzai, analyst and university lecturer.

This comes after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi last month said there has to be a political settlement in Afghanistan and that US President Donald Trump’s new war strategy will fail.

Late in August, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned that Pakistan could lose its status as a privileged military ally if Islamabad does not change its approach towards insurgents enjoying safe havens in the country.

Pakistan Moves To ‘Unite’ Region Against Trump Strategy

Islamabad has reportedly pulled in all its ambassadors stationed in the region to discuss the recently announced US strategy on Afghanistan and South Asia.

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As global pressure mounts against Pakistan, Islamabad has opted to unite Russia, China and Turkey against the new US strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia.

The remarks were made by Pakistan Foreign Minister Khwaja Asif this week after he suspended his trip to the United Sates. He said he will travel to regional countries and garner their support over the US’s rising pressure against them. 

Pakistan reports indicate that Asif will soon visit Moscow to discuss the US strategy. 

According to these reports, Pakistan has also summoned its ambassadors from regional countries to Islamabad in order to discuss the new US policy. 

Pakistan Defense Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan on Wednesday claimed that 40 percent of Afghanistan’s territory is out of the Kabul government’s control and that these areas serve as safe havens for those who are fighting against the Afghan government.

“The Afghan government does not have control over 40 percent of its territory; therefore, this percentage is a safe haven for those who are fighting the (Kabul) government,” Khan said. “It means that a big part of Afghanistan is a safe haven. But why do they put the blame on Pakistan?”

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted to the remarks and said the claims were baseless. 

“Problems cannot be addressed with baseless allegations. It is better that the Pakistani side eliminate the real safe havens of terrorists instead of putting the blame on us,” said Shakib Mustaghni, spokesman for Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The international community will stand against Pakistan if it does not change its policies,” the defense ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said.

Afghan analysts said Pakistan is trying to achieve the ‘sympathy’ of a number of countries in the region.

“Pakistan cannot make a coalition. It will try to gain the sympathy of countries. It cannot form an alliance because Russia does not want to lose India,” said Nasrullah Stanikzai, analyst and university lecturer.

This comes after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi last month said there has to be a political settlement in Afghanistan and that US President Donald Trump’s new war strategy will fail.

Late in August, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned that Pakistan could lose its status as a privileged military ally if Islamabad does not change its approach towards insurgents enjoying safe havens in the country.

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