Pakistan concerned by potential blowback of developments in Afghanistan: Bilawal Bhutto

Islamabad: There have been complaints from journalists in Afghanistan, the women are protesting for their rights. We are concerned that the girls are not being allowed to go to secondary school. We continue to encourage the new regime in Afghanistan to live up to international expectations if they want international recognition.

This was said by the Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in an interview to the BBC World on Tuesday.

Chairman PPP said that as soon as the situation in Afghanistan developed, Pakistan Peoples Party 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.

Responding to a question Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan’s influence over Afghanistan is often exaggerated, however, Pakistan should play its role in encouraging an inclusive government in Afghanistan, for the protection women and children there. We should work with international agents to ensure that Afghan land is not used to promote terrorism in the region.

The interviewer asked a question about the civilian government having little say in matters, to which Chairman Bilawal responded by saying that it is true that the democratic space in Pakistan is 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. The role of various agencies in Afghanistan over the past two decades will be discussed in history. 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.

Chairman PPP further said that We are very concerned about the potential blowbacks of the developments in Afghanistan as well as the links between Tehreek e Taliban Afghanistan and Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan. 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.

He said that what we have learned from Afghanistan is that extremism is not battled with bombs alone but ideas and opportunities. We have to provide for the people of Pakistan who have a stake in the political and economic system. When there is this sort of deprivation, all sorts of negative influences can take advantage of the situation.

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. It is important to see how we can prevent, as termed by the UNDP the ‘economic disaster from developing in 2022’. 90 percent of the people of Afghanistan are prophesized to be below the poverty line by then, we have to tackle this issue through the United Nations to ensure that the vulnerable people, ethnic minorities and women of Afghanistan receive aid.

Chairman Bilawal said that he welcomes what prime minister Imran Khan has expressed in his interview to the BBC, that is only recognizing the Taliban government after international consensus. While I welcome the approach, I hope he 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 with.