Afghanistan at risk of security vacuum without international push for inclusive government, says Moeed Yusuf
Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor
Published:18:39 Thu 26 August 2021
The west has embarrassed itself by refusing to listen to Pakistan about the lack of popular support for
Afghanistan’s ousted government led by Ashraf Ghani, and needs to help Afghans by engaging with the Taliban to ensure an inclusive government is formed, Pakistan’s national security adviser has said.
Islamabad is on a major diplomatic offensive to persuade the west not to turn its back on the Taliban government, with which Afghanistan’s eastern neighbour has close and controversial links, but instead to use its economic leverage to provide support.
Moeed Yusuf said that if the west repeated the major mistake of the 1990s and abandoned the country, it would set up a security vacuum that would lead to a revival of militancy first in Pakistan and then in the west.
Pakistan feels it has been vindicated by the collapse of the Ghani administration and has insisted it cannot bear the brunt of more refugees spilling over its border. It argues that an internationally recognised and stable Afghanistan would preclude that.
Yusuf called for an internationally coordinated effort, backed with an economic plan, to persuade the Taliban government that there “should be an inclusive government, rights protected, a moderate governance model”.
Full article:
Afghanistan at risk of security vacuum without international push for inclusive government, says Moeed Yusuf
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