Bilawal Bhutto blames US Afghanistan policy for rising terrorism in Pakistan. He described decisions made during Trump's tenure as dangerous.
Bilawal Bhutto: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is currently on a visit to the United States. During his trip, he made a statement that has sparked a new controversy in Pakistan-US relations. Bhutto directly attributed the rise of terrorism in Pakistan to US policies. He stated that the US's Afghanistan policy and the hasty withdrawal of its troops have empowered terrorists, causing significant harm to Pakistan.
US withdrawal from Afghanistan termed a major blunder
Bhutto's statement referenced the 'Doha Agreement' between the Trump administration and the Taliban in 2020. He argued that the hasty US withdrawal destabilized the entire region. During this withdrawal, the US left behind numerous advanced weapons in Afghanistan, which have now fallen into the hands of terrorist organizations.
Bhutto claims these weapons have reached terrorists operating in Pakistan. They are being used against Pakistani security forces, placing Pakistan's internal security at grave risk.
Questions raised on US policies
Bhutto stated that issues like Afghanistan and terrorism consistently dominate Pakistan-US relations. He urged the US to seriously reconsider its policies on these matters.
"We always engage with the US on issues of terrorism, Afghanistan, and security. However, several US policies have exacerbated Pakistan's problems. It's time both countries worked together for regional stability," Bhutto stated.
Silence on Pakistan's role
While Bhutto bly criticized US policies, he remained silent on how Pakistani governments, for decades, aided the Taliban and other extremist groups in Afghanistan.
History shows that Pakistan, using billions of dollars in US aid during the 1980s and 1990s, trained and armed Afghan Mujahideen. These groups later evolved into terrorist networks like the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
Concerns over the black market for weapons
Bhutto stated that abandoned US weapons in Afghanistan are now being sold on the black market, with these advanced weapons reaching terrorists. He also claimed these weapons are far superior to those possessed by Pakistani police and security forces.
"When our security forces engage terrorists, the latter possess advanced weapons unavailable to our police. This is extremely concerning," Bhutto said.
Tensions heightened after India's Operation Sundar
India's recently launched "Operation Sundar," involving surgical and air strikes in response to the Pulwama terror attack, has placed Pakistan under international scrutiny. This operation further impacted Pakistan's image, making Bhutto's statement even more controversial.
