Afghanistan calls for peace as US refuses to pull-out

By Aamir Latif and Shadi Khan Saif

KARACHI, Pakistan/ KABUL, Afghanistan

Top leadership in Pakistan and Afghanistan reacted on Wednesday over U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent policy in Afghanistan.

Trump on Tuesday had ruled out the possibility of American troops withdrawing from Afghanistan anytime soon, and blamed Pakistan for harboring terrorist safe havens.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in an address to the nation sought friendly ties with its neighboring countries including Pakistan.

“An unstable Afghanistan is in no one’s interest, and Pakistan has also witnessed many losses [because of it],” he said.

“Today, there is consensus that Pakistan should revise its previous approach. This is an opportunity,” he added.

Afghanistan has long blamed Pakistan for attacks in the country, including the Kabul suicide bombing this June which left 90 dead.

Ghani said that Afghanistan has never tried to destabilize Pakistan.

He called upon the Taliban and their supporters to forget thinking about prolonging the war and dividing Afghanistan.

"Once again, I call on you to take the path of peace and negotiation,” Ghani said.

Meanwhile, an irate Pakistan said it was not looking for any kind of assistance from the U.S. but acknowledgement of its contributions in the war against terrorism.

During a meeting with David Hale, the U.S. ambassador in Islamabad, Pakistan’s powerful Army Cheif Gen.

Qamar Javed Bajwa said: “We are not looking for any material or financial assistance from the U.S but trust, understanding and acknowledgement of our contributions,” according to the military’s media wing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The meeting is seen as an attempt to quell differences and find ways to continue cooperation between the two longtime allies on Afghanistan in future.

Gen. Bajwa, according to the statement, told the U.S envoy that peace in Afghanistan was as important for Pakistan as for any other country.

“We have done a lot towards that end and shall keep on doing our best, not to appease anyone but in line with our national interest and national policy,” he said.

The U.S. invaded Afghanistan in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, ousting the Taliban after it gave sanctuary to now deceased al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden.

Recent years have seen the Taliban and other armed groups grow in strength as the U.S.-backed central government in Kabul struggles to assert its authority across the country it nominally controls.

The U.S. currently has about 8,400 troops in the country.