Afghanistan Peace CampaignAchakzai stressed that differences should be resolved through dialogue and that Islamabad must build trust with Kabul.
Mahmood Khan Achakzai, a Pakistani opposition leader, has criticized his country’s policies toward Afghanistan and called on the Pakistani government to abandon its policy of “strategic depth.”
Referring to the historical ties between the two countries, Achakzai stressed that differences should be resolved through dialogue and that Islamabad must build trust with Kabul.
Mahmood Khan Achakzai, a Pakistani opposition leader, said: “You have closed the routes to Afghanistan, while their trade there is increasing. If you genuinely have the desire and determination, if you truly want friendship with Afghanistan, Mr. Speaker, Afghanistan was such a good friend to you that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto held a meeting of his Central Committee in Kabul. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto himself chaired that meeting.”
Political parties in Pakistan have expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s approach toward Afghanistan for years. Previously, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf also criticized Islamabad’s policies toward Afghanistan and called for a review of its approach toward Kabul.
Mohammad Fayyaz Safi, a political analyst, said: “The people of Pakistan, including their generals, have all acknowledged that they made mistakes in their dealings with Afghanistan. Therefore, as Muslims and human beings, we ask our neighbors to treat us with the same goodwill and sincerity that we show them.”
Idris Mohammadi Zazai, another political analyst, said: “These parties, communities, and ethnic groups must take action to change the policies adopted by certain Pakistani officials toward Afghanistan, because these policies are causing political and economic harm to the people of Pakistan.”
Domestic criticism of the Pakistani government’s current approach toward Afghanistan is growing as regional efforts to reduce tensions between Kabul and Islamabad continue.