COAS Gen Bajwa stressed upon Pakistan’s integral role in evolving Afghan situation amid the Taliban takeover of Kabul. He claimed that no country other than Pakistan has been affected by Afghanistan’s instability and predicts that Taliban’s regime to be accommodating this time.
The Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Bajwa, while addressing the 4th Pakistan Battalion at Pakistan Military Academy Kakul on Friday highlighted Pakistan’s continued facilitative and integral role in Afghanistan and its evolving situation. He said that Pakistan will continue to play an integral role in ensuring peace and development in Afghanistan.
“We have made every possible effort to facilitate Afghan Peace Process leading towards a negotiated settlement with utmost sincerity and will continue to do so,” Gen Bajwa underscored.
Spill-over impact of violence
He added that no country other than Pakistan has faced the brunt of Afghan instability and chaos. Despite facing grave economic crisis at home, Pakistan continued to host and accommodate three million Afghan refugees to this date. It is feared that violence in Afghanistan can have a spill-over impact on Pakistan triggering a refugee crisis once again. By taking note of erupting violence in Kabul, around 700,000 more are expected to come over.
Read more: Pakistani bonds take a hit as Afghan refugee crisis looms
Taliban will keep their promises, predicted COAS Bajwa
He envisioned that the Taliban government in Kabul, this time will respect women and human rights and will fulfil the expectations of the international community in this regard. He also predicted that the Afghan soil would not be used as a launching pad for militancy and international terrorism this time. The Taliban’s spokesperson has reiterated that the new regime in Kabul will not be an “Islamic democratic one”, but will be “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan”. And they are unravelling the roadmap of governance gradually.
Read more: How do Russia, Pakistan, China, Iran and India view the Taliban’s rise in Afghanistan?
At a press conference, a Taliban spokesperson claims, "Women will be afforded all their rights…because women are a key part of society."
"We are guaranteeing all their rights within the limits of Islam." https://t.co/T0q9DYWhC3 pic.twitter.com/1SFCNA1seY
— ABC News (@ABC) August 17, 2021
Modes of warfare will now be hybrid, says COAS Qamar Bajwa
COAS highlighted that Pakistan after its independence has faced various challenges on economic and political front. However, after “every challenge, we emerged stronger” and resilient than ever. He added that the enemies of Pakistan are engaged in blacklisting us and marring our international credibility through propaganda and false news.
Therefore, we will not let Pakistan’s enemies to scapegoat our country with impunity and stay silent. He added that our enemy countries are threatening to demoralize and destabilize our social, economic and political fabric through hybrid ware fare.
As he addressed the cadets and the faculty, he emphasized on the proactive role of Pakistan in war against terror through various military operations. Thus, Pakistan will continue to play an integral role in evolving Afghan situation and ensure that militancy do not spill over to our borders.
Read more: How India uses hybrid warfare to destabilise Pakistan from within
“Pakistan Army is proud of its young officers who continue to lead their men from the front with courage and devotion to defend the freedom of motherland,” he was quoted by the military’s media wing as saying.
Army proud of young officers leading from the front: COAS#etribune https://t.co/eXbgS4uVZH
— The Express Tribune (@etribune) August 20, 2021
Furthermore, he said that commanders at all levels should stay focused on achieving professional excellence, while keeping themselves abreast with the latest developments, to overcome emerging challenges.
We will continue to stand with Kashmiris, says COAS Bajwa
He also added that in the month of our independence, we cannot forget our Kashmiris brethren as they struggle under repressive IIJOK lockdown. He claimed that the Kashmiri people are facing grave human rights violations and acts of terrorism by the Indian forces in IIJOK and Pakistan stands firmly with the Kashmiris. Thus, he reiterated that “we had stood with the Kashmiri people and will continue to do so”.
Read more: Resolve Kashmir issue before it is too late
Standing firm with Kashmiri brethren, COAS message on Kashmir Solidarity Day https://t.co/XtXrLkTPOw pic.twitter.com/J6HBzwoIxk
— GNN (@gnnhdofficial) February 5, 2020
He urged the international community to take notice of Kashmiri plight and understand that peace in Kashmir is pivotal for peace in South Asia.