Afghanistan Peace Campaign
Pakistan is expected to cooperate with the U.S. in efforts to retrieve weapons from the Taliban, as discussed in a recent conversation between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
According to the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the phone call took place on Tuesday, March 4. The ministry’s statement emphasized that U.S. officials expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s efforts in combating terrorism. The conversation underlined the ongoing cooperation between the two countries on counterterrorism matters.
Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to strengthen relations with Washington. He emphasized that Pakistan is committed to continued cooperation with the United States in the fight against terrorism, further solidifying the bilateral partnership.
In response to comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump, Ishaq Dar welcomed the President’s position on the retrieval of remaining U.S. military equipment in Afghanistan. The Pakistani leadership has repeatedly expressed concerns about the potential use of these weapons for attacks against Pakistan.
The conversation between high-ranking U.S. and Pakistani officials took place after Donald Trump had previously announced that the mastermind behind the deadly Kabul airport attack had been captured with Pakistan’s cooperation. The U.S. President also expressed gratitude to Pakistan for its assistance in this operation.
Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban, made a statement suggesting that Pakistan’s actions could bolster the argument that the country harbors terrorist organizations like ISIS. He criticized Pakistan for its role in handing over key figures involved in major terrorist operations, questioning the motivations behind their cooperation with the United States.
The handover has raised concerns about Pakistan’s role in regional security dynamics. While some see it as a positive step in counterterrorism efforts, others view it as evidence that Pakistan might be indirectly fostering an environment that allows extremist groups like ISIS to operate. This development has added further complexity to the already fragile geopolitical situation in South Asia.