- Ahmad’s response comes after videos and images of U.S. troops appeared on social media, prompting speculation that there would be a long-term U.S. military presence on Pakistani soil.
Written by Shankhyaneel Sarkar | Edited by Avik Roy, Hindustan Times, New Delhi
PUBLISHED AUGUST 31, 2021 AT 6:18 PM
Pakistani Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Tuesday denied that US troops arriving in Islamabad from Afghanistan would be long-term. Ahmad clarified that his stay is for a “limited period” and that US soldiers in Pakistan have received traffic visas ranging from three weeks to a month, according to the PTI news agency citing the Sunrise of Pakistan.
Ahmad’s response comes after videos and images of U.S. troops appeared on social media, prompting speculation that there would be a long-term U.S. military presence on Pakistani soil. Earlier, the head of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, claimed that Pakistan was booking hotels for Americans in Islamabad and said it would return to the Musharraf era. This speculation was dismissed by Ahmad.
“Pak played a huge role in the peace process”
The interior minister also said that Pakistan played a huge role in the peace process in Afghanistan and will continue to fulfill its duty of national security and international expectations. “No other country has made peace sacrifices in Afghanistan more than Pakistan. Peace and stability in Afghanistan were related to peace and stability in Pakistan, “Ahmad said. He also said he received assurances from the Taliban that the forbidden dress Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP ) will not use Afghan soil to encourage terrorist activities against the nation
He also said all Pakistanis were evacuated from Afghanistan except 30 to 40 of their nationals as their families remain there.
“I feared a large influx of migrants”
The interior minister said that after the blasts at Kabul airport, Pakistan was expecting a large influx of migrants, but expressed relief that such an event had not occurred. He also noted that 2,192 people entered Pakistan via the Torkham border while 1,627 arrived in Islamabad on flights. He also said a small number of people came across the border with Chaman.
Ahmad also said that issuing visas to those coming from Afghanistan was not an exercise in making money and that a normal visa fee was charged by the people and that visas on arrival were issued free of charge. . He said these people did not have refugee status.
(With PTI tickets)
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