PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari speaks to the media in Washington D.C. Photo Credit: VOA
Fighting terrorism in Afghanistan and the region requires effective cooperation among allies, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari argued here Friday, while calling for an end to blame game against his country.
During an interaction with the media, he expressed concern at extremism challenges within Pakistan but noted that Pakistan is not responsible for failures in Afghanistan, where the U.S.-led coalition and Kabul have not been able to improve the situation.
“If there are issues, let us hold talks,” Bhutto said when asked about his response to Washington’s criticism that Islamabad has not done enough in the fight against terror and that it allows Afghan militants to operate from its territory.
“It’s not my fault that terrorists are active in 75 % of Afghanistan. It’s not my fault that the Afghan government does not control over 45 of its territory,” Bhutto, who spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast earlier this week, said.
“If the U.S., NATO, Afghan govt cant put Afghanistan back together again, how can Pakistan (be expected to) do it singlehandedly.”
He acknowledged that all sides committed mistakes in the past but advocated that now they have to work together.
“Terrorism is down by 70 percent in Pakistan, so something is working. We want to help you.”
The PPP leader said terrorists cross border from the Afghan side and carry out attacks in Pakistan and there may be terrorists crossing the border from the Pakistani side too.
“When we say that we want to build a fence (to curb cross-border movement) along the porous border, the Afghan government opposes the move, and when there is an attack in Afghanistan, they blame Pakistan for it.
“This hypocrisy, this double standard, this blame game has to stop.
“We can resolve the situation by working together.”
Islamabad, he said, has nothing to gain from destabilizing Afghanistan and the two countries should engage in a hammer and anvil approach to defeat terrorists.
At the same time, Bilawal, who is set to contest the next general election, saw Pakistan being a target of “international conspiracy” and said only his party has the ability to steer the country out of “turbulence.” He argued that some countries are trying to make Pakistan a scapegoat for their Afghan failures. He also saw Pakistan facing an existential threat from the spate of challenges.
He also echoed that Pakistan’s demand that its concerns in the region should not be ignored and observed that India is on record having confessed its hand in fueling troubles in Balochistan, the southwestern province bordering Afghanistan. He also pointed out that Pakistan has apprehended an Indian spy involved in terrorist activities.
“Pakistan’s legitimate demands and concerns have to be looked into.”
He also sought clarity on the Afghan mission and expressed fears that the U.S.-led coalition might once again abandon the volatile region.
“What is you plan, strategy, and the end game? Is this really forever war? If you are leaving, how will you exit? Will it be an Iraq-like situation, where the U.S. is not contributing to Iraqi reconstruction?”
Bilawal also faulted the Nawaz Sharif government for not having a fully empowered foreign minister and said Pakistan lost out in the contest of narratives.
Internally, he said, Pakistan has to fight extremist mindset and move forward as a progressive country.
