Staff Report
PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Barrister Dr. Muhammad Ali Saif has said that the ongoing tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan has resulted not only in loss of lives on both sides but has also created a serious economic crisis. He said that trade activities have remained suspended for several days, causing massive financial losses worth billions of rupees to traders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Afghanistan, while long queues of containers are stuck at the border.
He said that PTI founder Imran Khan has also expressed deep concern over the escalating tension, saying that during the PTI government, relations between the two countries were exemplary, which helped establish lasting peace in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He further said that Imran Khan has offered to play a role in defusing the ongoing tension between the two countries. According to Imran Khan, if granted release on parole, he could help end hostilities and work for sustainable peace in the region.
Imran khan further said that the people of Pakistan are rendering supreme sacrifices in the fight against terrorism; however, due to the federal government’s flawed policies, the menace of terrorism continues to persist. To eradicate terrorism, it is imperative to follow the policies adopted during the PTI government. During the PTI tenure, we had engaged Afghanistan in a dialogue process and maintained peace in the region through negotiations.
Barrister Dr. Saif said that the current Pak-Afghan tension is the direct outcome of the ineffective and flawed policies of the federal government. He added that the incompetence of the so-called federal rulers has endangered the peace of the entire region.
He stated that while the rest of the world is moving towards peace and development by resolving conflicts, the inept rulers of Pakistan are instead fueling disputes. He emphasized that the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly those in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Afghanistan, share deep social and cultural ties, and the ongoing tension is having devastating effects on both sides of the border.
In response to the allegations regarding the rehabilitation of militants, Barrister Dr. Saif said that these are baseless accusations. Imran Khan had categorically rejected any plan for the return of militants. The plan to resettle militants was, in fact, initiated by the then PDM government. After the ouster of Imran Khan’s government, the PDM administration actively pursued this plan.
Barrister Dr. Saif further said that the wrong policies of the federal government have further weakened and destabilized the economy of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The province was already under severe economic pressure, and now the suspension of trade has worsened the
situation.
Barrister Dr. Saif said that Pakistan and Afghanistan are brotherly Islamic countries, and therefore war or hostility serves the interest of neither
He also remarked that during the PDM government, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari traveled around the world, yet did not consider visiting Afghanistan, which clearly reflects the failure of his foreign policy.
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