Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto, while giving an interview to BBC, said that he welcomed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s approach to Afghanistan. He said that recognising the Afghan Taliban government should come after international consensus.
“While I welcome the approach, I hope he [PM Khan] creates that consensus within Pakistan. The Pakistani parliament, unfortunately, has not met ever since the recent developments in Pakistan, stakeholders within Pakistan have not been consulted.”
“We continue to encourage the new regime in Afghanistan to live up to international expectations if they want international recognition,” said Bilawal.
Speaking on women’s rights and providing them safety in Afghanistan, Bilawal said, “There have been complaints from journalists in Afghanistan that women are protesting for their rights and we are concerned that girls are not being allowed to go to schools.”
Bilawal said that as soon as the situation in Afghanistan developed, the PPP called for the government of Pakistan to hold a session of the parliament.
“As with various issues in our country, we have been unable to form a national consensus. We require an inclusive foreign policy that is per the will of the parliament, not of any individual,” he said.
Chairman PPP further said that we are very concerned about the potential blowback of the developments in Afghanistan as well as the links between Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA) and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He said that we have suffered immensely at the hands of violent extremism.
“I lost my mother, the former prime minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, to Islamic extremism within Pakistan. In order to counter the threat of extremism, we need determination from the government of Pakistan to ensure no space for terrorism or extremism.”
Journalist Yalda Hakim asked a question about the civilian government having little say in matters, to which Bilawal responded by saying that it was true that the democratic space in Pakistan was ‘shrinking’, especially during Imran Khan’s government.
“In order for that space to be regained, it is the choice of democratic people of the country to play an active role in the political system, through the parliament and media,” said Bilawal.
Chairman PPP added, “Everyone seems to be blaming one another, but it is important to work together for a positive outcome for the sake of the region. For the women and youth of Afghanistan who have so much potential, it is worrisome that their potential is in danger.”
“The people of Pakistan and Afghanistan are both exhausted due to the war, we hope for the best but should also prepare for the worst. We are already seeing an increase in the activities of TTP within Pakistan … we have to tackle this issue through the United Nations to ensure that the vulnerable people, ethnic minorities and women of Afghanistan receive aid,” added Bilawal.
