KABUL (SW): Following stern and straight remarks by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani regarding Pakistan’s role in fueling terrorism in Afghanistan, a number of analysts and politicians have said it was better late than never that the government finally realized.
President Ghani has been credited for turning a new leaf of ties with neighboring Pakistan that was often suspected by the previous Afghan government for its alleged support for the Taliban. On Monday however, Ghani busted with anger, frustration and also expressed hope that Islamabad would stop harboring militants that wage war on Afghanistan.
“I ask the Pakistani government if the mass killings of Shah Shaheed had happened in Islamabad and the perpetrators were in Afghanistan, what you would do?” he said, referring to a Kabul neighborhood that suffered a fatal truck bombing on Friday.
At least five people were killed Monday when a Taliban suicide car bomber struck near the entrance of Kabul's international airport.
The attack followed deadly bombings in the Afghan capital on Friday, which struck close to an army complex, a police academy and a US Special Forces base and killed at least 51 people.
Abdul Wali Niazi, a parliamentarian told SW that the law makers have long been asking the President no to trust Pakistan.
“Anyways, it is still not too late that the President and Chief Executive have realized that Pakistan does not support peace in Afghanistan and actively controls the militants”, he said.
A statement by the Foreign Office on Monday said: "We have taken note of the press conference by the President of Afghanistan held in Kabul today and its contents relating to Pakistan.
"Pakistan and Afghanistan are brotherly and neighbouring countries and enjoy close and cooperative relations. Pakistan is committed to maintaining good neighbourly relations with Afghanistan and all other regional countries”, it added.
Mohammad Qasim Irfani, a political analyst argued that it was a mistake to expect peace from an old enemy. He said the people of Afghanistan endorse the remarks made by both the President and his CEO. “The leaders should devise a comprehensive plan now and act accordingly”, he stressed.
Nadir Shah Sawa, a political commentator was of the opinion that the government should keep long-term strategic interests in mind and pursue them vigorously.
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