Dhudial: Afghanistan’s growing proximity to a country that is hostile to Pakistan, friendly with Israel, and a perpetrator of violence against Indian Muslims and Kashmiris—while having played a central role in fostering terrorism in Pakistan during Afghanistan’s foreign occupation and continuing this crime today as per The Washington Post—is a matter of grave concern for Pakistan. These views were expressed by Senator Lieutenant General Abdul Qayyum during a meeting with members of the Youth Parliament from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The brave Pashtun youth from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa wholeheartedly agreed with his concerns and emphasized the need to improve governance in the province to combat foreign terrorism. They also expressed regret that some individuals involved in attacks on military installations are still part of the provincial cabinet as ministers.
General Abdul Qayyum stressed the importance of national unity within Pakistan to eliminate terrorism, as well as establishing political and diplomatic engagement with Afghan leadership, including Kandahar-based Akhundzada and Kabul-based Taliban politicians. He highlighted that the Pashtuns are a great nation and that Afghan Pashtuns are not enemies of Pakistan. The real issue is a lack of trust, which can be resolved through dialogue.
He further stated that if other regional countries are opening diplomatic channels with Afghanistan without officially recognizing its government, Pakistan—hosting over 3 million Afghan refugees to this day—should be leading such efforts.
