City
Epaper

US must be involved in Afghanistan after troops leave: Qureshi

By IANS | Updated: January 17, 2020 13:15 IST

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that US must remain engaged in Afghanistan's reconstruction even if it succeeds in withdrawing troops and ending its longest war, it was reported on Friday.

Open in App

Qureshi is currently in Washington on the third leg of his mission to defuse tensions in the Middle East, having already visited Tehran and Riyadh as part of Pakistan's diplomatic efforts, reports Dawn news.

Speaking at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, Qureshi said on Thursday: "Peace in Afghanistan is ultimately a shared responsibility and Pakistan, alone cannot do all that is needed".

He warned the US not to neglect Afghanistan, as was seen after 1989 when Soviet troops pulled out under pressure from guerrillas fighters backed by Washington and Islamabad.

"Do not repeat the '80s," he said, adding: "Even if there is a successful agreement, challenges will remain there, so the United States and its friends and coalition partners will have to have a more responsible withdrawal.

"They should remain engaged - not to fight, but to rebuild."

Qureshi said he has seen a willingness from the Taliban to reduce the violence.

"They are pragmatic and not foolish. They are also fatigued," he said.

The Foreign Minister is set to meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday.

Qureshi also held meetings with a host of US lawmakers from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: qureshiwashingtonuspakistanAfghanistan
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalIdaho Shooting: 2 Shot at Shoshone County Sheriff's Office in Wallace; Suspect Killed

Social ViralSanta Spotted in US Skies? Netizens Report Red Sleigh Seen Over Multiple Cities (Watch Videos)

InternationalNorth Carolina Plane Crash: Retired NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle and Family Among Seven Killed in Statesville Jet Crash

International'Warrior Dividend': Donald Trump Announces $1,776 Christmas Bonus to Active US Soldiers

BusinessUS Stock Exchange Nasdaq Moves Toward 24-Hour Trading, How Will Impact on Indian Share Market

International Realted Stories

InternationalRussia says Kyiv launched drone attack on presidential residence in Novgorod

InternationalTrump says Netanyahu pardon is "on its way", Israeli President's office denies claim

InternationalUAE strongly condemns attempt to target residence of Russian President

International"Israel has never had a friend in White House like Trump": Netanyahu after Mar-a-lago meet

InternationalChina launches large-scale military drills around Taiwan; issues warning against "independence" forces, Taipei on high alert