Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative to Afghanistan during the Trump administration, has called on Afghanistan to “help Pakistan with such negotiations.” He recently visited Kabul with US hostage envoy Adam Boehler, where he met with key members of the Afghan Taliban regime.
In a tweet after his visit, Khalilzad noted that the escalating violence between Pakistan’s security forces and the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has resulted in the deaths of a significant number of security personnel and civilians.
Khalilzad’s Call for a Political Solution Stating that a military solution to this challenge is a mistake, Khalilzad urged Islamabad to “shift to a political strategy and negotiate.” He drew a parallel to the past, saying, “The Pakistani establishment always advised the US and Afghan government before 2021 to negotiate and seek a political settlement with the Afghan Taliban. The time has come for Pakistan to consider doing the same.”
This message comes just days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir issued a stark choice to Kabul during a visit to Bannu, with the prime minister saying, “I want to give a clear message to Afghanistan to choose between Pakistan and TTP.”
Khalilzad is viewed as a hawk in Washington circles and has previously been critical of Pakistan. Last month, he claimed that Afghanistan’s successful operations against IS-Khorasan had pushed their leadership into Pakistan, alleging that Pakistan was becoming a “safe haven” for the militant group.
Imran Khan Echoes Dialogue Call Khalilzad’s remarks were echoed by the incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has also called for dialogue to address the militancy plaguing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In a tweet on his X account, Khan said that operations in the former tribal areas are leading to rising casualties among police, military, and civilians. “This approach can never establish peace. Lasting peace only comes through dialogue,” he wrote. He alleged that the ongoing operation in KP was an attempt to discredit the PTI government and claimed that a military operation would only fuel further terrorism.
Khan urged all KP lawmakers to work with the chief minister to resolve the challenges and called on his allies, specifically Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, to send a peace delegation to Afghanistan.
