Imran Khan also said the world should give the Taliban a “time” on human rights (FILE)
Islamabad:
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is fighting for the Taliban to develop a consensus leading to the recognition of the new interim government of the “Islamic Emirate” in Afghanistan.
Speaking to CNN in the first interview with an international news organization since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan last month, Khan said the best path to follow for peace and stability in the ‘Afghanistan is getting involved with the Taliban and‘ encouraging ’them on issues like this. such as women’s rights and inclusive government.
“The Taliban keep all of Afghanistan and if they can now work for an inclusive government, bring all factions together, Afghanistan can have peace after 40 years. But if it goes wrong, and that’s what really worries us, it could go to chaos. The biggest humanitarian crisis, a huge refugee problem, “Khan said.
“It is a mistake to think that someone outside will give rights to Afghan women. Afghan women are strong. Give them time. They will get their rights,” Khan said.
“Women should have the capacity of a society to fulfill its potential in life,” Khan said.
Since taking power, the group has tried to paint a new picture with promises to defend human rights, especially with regard to women and girls, and to allow journalists to continue their work.
However, the women have been omitted from the Taliban’s interim government, they have been ordered to stay home in some areas and their education restricted.
Protests against the Taliban government and civil rights have been violently suppressed, with reports of journalists being arrested and severely beaten.
In recent days, the Taliban have ordered gender segregation in classrooms and said students, teachers and employees must wear hijabs in accordance with the group’s interpretation of Sharia law. And Taliban fighters have used whips and sticks against women protesters, who have taken to the streets in sporadic protests across the country demanding equal rights.
Khan also said the world should give the Taliban a “time” on human rights, but fears “chaos” without help, CNN reported.
Khan said the Taliban are seeking international help to avert a crisis, which could be used to push the group in the “right direction towards legitimacy.” However, he warned that Afghanistan could not be controlled by external forces.
“People do not support any puppet government in Afghanistan,” he said. “So, instead of sitting here and thinking that we can control them, we should encourage them. Because Afghanistan, this current government, clearly believes that without international aid and assistance they will not be able to stop this crisis. we should push. in the right direction. “
Meanwhile, Khan also commented on the “terrible” relationship with the United States that has been disastrous for Pakistan and on how it now seeks a more pragmatic approach in dealing with the new leaders of Afghanistan.
“We (Pakistan) were like a contracted weapon,” Khan said. “We were supposed to win the war in Afghanistan (the United States), which we never could.”
Khan said he had repeatedly warned U.S. officials that the United States could not achieve its goals militarily and that “they would be trapped there.” He said the United States should have tried to reach a political agreement with the Taliban from a “position of strength,” at the height of its presence in Afghanistan, not when it withdrew.
Khan has previously criticized the U.S.’s exit from Afghanistan and said he has not spoken to President Joe Biden since the Taliban’s acquisition, even though Pakistan is a major non-NATO ally.
“I imagine he’s very busy, but our relationship with the United States doesn’t just depend on a phone call, but it has to be a multidimensional relationship,” Khan said.
On Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States would review its ties with Pakistan after the withdrawal. He told Congress during a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee that Pakistan has a “multiplicity of interests that are in conflict with ours.”
Khan called the comments “ignorant,” telling CNN that “I’ve never felt that ignorance.”
According to Khan, thousands of Pakistanis lost their lives in terrorist attacks by “militant groups” because of their country’s support for the US. Just by siding with the US, we became allies of the United States after 9/11 and the war in Afghanistan. The suffering that this country suffered at one point was 50 militant groups that attacked our government … in addition, they should also know that there were 480 U.S. drone attacks in Pakistan, “he added. .
“The only time a country has been attacked by its ally,” he said about the U.S. strikes.
The United States has repeatedly accused Pakistan of hosting terrorists and given them refuge, Khan said.
“What are these safe havens?” Khan asked. “The area of Pakistan along the border with Afghanistan had the most intense surveillance of U.S. drones … sure they would have known if there was any safe haven?”
Khan said he cannot destroy his country by “fighting someone else’s war.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)