US forces have failed in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s FM claims

AVA- “Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, during his day long visit to Tehran on 11 September 2017, called on Iranian President Dr. Hassan Rouhani. They discussed strengthening of brotherly relations between the two countries rooted in common history, culture and people to people ties and reaffirmed the mutual desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation,” the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan said in a statement.

The statement further added “Earlier, soon after his arrival in Tehran, Foreign Minister held detailed talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Javad Zarif on bilateral relations and the prevailing regional situation, including efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan.”

“The two Foreign Ministers also exchanged views about efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan, particularly in the context of latest developments in Afghanistan,” the statement said, adding that “They agreed that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and a politically negotiated settlement was imperative for lasting peace in Afghanistan. They underscored that the regional countries have vital stakes in stability in Afghanistan should play a more proactive role in the peace efforts.”

This comes as the Pakistani officials earlier said that Islamabad intends to seek regional and international support after the US President Donald Trump’s policy declaration for South Asia in which he harshly criticized Pakistan for allowing the terrorist groups to use its soil despite receiving billions of dollars in aid from Washington in the name of the fight against terrorism.

President Trump said  “For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror.  The threat is worse because Pakistan and India are two nuclear-armed states whose tense relations threaten to spiral into conflict.  And that could happen.”

He said the next pillar of the new strategy is to change the approach and how to deal with Pakistan, emphasizing that we can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond, emphasizing that Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan.  It has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists.