The talks between the Pakistani and Afghan sides in Turkey concluded without any outcome, and during this time, the behavior of the Pakistani side surprised and disappointed even the mediators.
Sources stated: “What was very interesting was that the Pakistani delegation was not familiar with the negotiations, they spoke illogically, and sometimes even behaved disrespectfully and used foul language.”
According to the source, the mediators (Qatari and Turkish representatives) were also surprised by the behavior of the Pakistani side during these talks, and this behavior disappointed them.
He says that all the articles of the agenda were finalized, but there was discussion on only one article which the Pakistani side “disrupted and ruined with disrespectful and inappropriate behavior.”
The source adds: “The head of the Pakistani team, who was a very ill-mannered person, demanded from the Afghan side that ‘you should call all those groups to Afghanistan and control them who carry out attacks in Pakistan…'”
The source said that these statements also surprised the mediators (representatives of Qatar and Turkey), wondering, “What kind of demand is this that your own rebel groups control you?” The Afghan side’s response was, “But they are not our people; they are citizens of your country. So how can we call your nationals and militant groups to our country and then control them?”
According to him, another demand from the Pakistani side was that if the TTP carries out any attack in Pakistan, they would retaliate against Afghanistan. However, the Afghan side told them that controlling attacks in Pakistan is the job of that country’s military and security forces; the Afghan government’s responsibility is to not allow anyone from its soil to cross into Pakistan.
Similarly, the Afghan side told them: “Alright, we will not allow anyone to use our soil to attack Pakistan, but in return, the Pakistani side must also guarantee that it will not violate Afghan airspace itself, and will not allow those American drones to use Pakistani territory and airspace to come and violate Afghanistan’s airspace; likewise, the ISIS phenomenon will also not use Pakistani soil to carry out attacks in Afghanistan.”
The source further stated that the Pakistani delegation initially agreed to the terms, but shortly after, they received a phone call, and when they returned to the meeting after the call, they went back on their word, saying that Pakistan cannot stop American drones or guarantee anything about ISIS.
According to the source, when the issue of American drones not passing through Pakistani airspace to Afghanistan was raised, the head of the Pakistani negotiation team, General Shahab Aslam, said, “This should not be discussed.”
The source says that the Qatari ambassador to Afghanistan, who was present at the meeting, told him: “Sir, listen, don’t interrupt the discussion halfway; this is a concern of the Afghans.” Pakistani General Shahab said, “The American drones that pass through our airspace to Afghanistan actually take off from your airbase in Qatar; why don’t you stop them there?” The Qatari ambassador told him, “We have an agreement with America there.” General Shahab said, “We also have an agreement with America.”
Support Dawat Media Center
If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our journalism and sustains our future. Support the Dawat Media Center from as little as $/€10 – it only takes a minute. If you can, please consider supporting us with a regular amount each month. Thank you
DNB Bank AC # 0530 2294668
Account for international payments: NO15 0530 2294 668
Vipps: #557320
Support Dawat Media Center
If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our journalism and sustains our future. Support the Dawat Media Center from as little as $/€10 – it only takes a minute. If you can, please consider supporting us with a regular amount each month. Thank you
DNB Bank AC # 0530 2294668
Account for international payments: NO15 0530 2294 668
Vipps: #557320

Comments are closed.