General Sir Nicholas Carter, the Chief of the British Armed Forces, released a statement on the Afghan situation recently. Sir Nicholas said that the Pakistan Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Bajwa is absolutely honest when he says that the state wants a peaceful Afghanistan.
While speaking to the British Broadcasting Company in an interview, the Chief of the British Armed Forces, Sir Nicholas said that Pakistan has the purest intentions towards Afghanistan. Pakistan truly wishes for a war-free and harmonious Afghanistan.
“I am in no doubt that my opposite number in Pakistan General Bajwa is very genuine when he says that he wants a stable and moderate Afghanistan”, says General Carter.
While answering a question related to Pakistan being a safe shelter for terrorists as well as people of the Haqqani network, the General said that Pakistan has lived this nightmare. It has been living these challenges for quite a long-time and is providing a home to almost 3.5 million refugees. Having such a large number of people makes it difficult to know who is against them and who is in support. General Carter further said that Pakistan has protected its border with Afghanistan unlike before. Moreover, it is keeping a close watch on the cross-border movements.
He further added that the British Armed Forces were working in collaboration with the Taliban in Afghanistan to provide a secure environment at the Kabul Airport. They are also helping in keeping harmony in the main part of the city.
“The Taliban are not saying anything to people who want to leave the country”, says Carter. The Taliban have been behaving in a rather rational way for the time being.
Earlier this week, the United States has also been willing to partake alongside Pakistan and China to establish a political settlement in Afghanistan. The States is wanting all the neighbors of Afghanistan to play a role in making the country stable again.
“Whether it is Pakistan or China or countries that have had a role in Afghanistan, we have had a constructive dialogue with all of them, although it is clear when it comes to China”, says Ned Price, the spokesman to State Department.
