Nirendra Dev
New Delhi: Taliban has taken over 85% of Afghanistan under their control since the commencement of US troops' withdrawal from the country.
Afghanistan has stepped up attacks on its neighbor Pakistan for the latter's nexus with the Taliban and said Islamabad has been in denial mode on "the existence of Quetta Shura or presence of Taliban terrorist leaders in its soil" for the last 20 years.
Despite his denial, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan claims that the Taliban are now "sensing victory" following the withdrawal of American forces.
"On Pakistani denial: For over twenty years Pakistan denied the existence of Quetta Shura or the presence of Taliban terrorist leaders in its soil. Those familiar with this pattern, Afghan or foreign, know exactly that issuing a statement of denial is just a pre-written paragraph," tweeted Afghanistan's Vice President Amrullah Saleh.
His fresh tweet came after Pakistan denied having 'warned' Afghanistan Air Force not to dislodge Taliban from Spin Boldak area.
"Breaking: Pakistan air force has issued official warning to the Afghan Army and Air Force that any move to dislodge the Taliban from Spin Boldak area will be faced and repelled by the Pakistan Air Force. Pak Air Force is now providing close air support to Taliban in certain areas," he had said.
Islamabad of course denied the serious allegation amid consistent reports that following the withdrawal of US forces, the Taliban has been gaining ground in the war-devastated country.
Pakistan foreign office issued a statement stating as alleged by the Afghan Vice President, "Pakistan Air Force never communicated anything to the Afghan Air Force. Such statements undermine Pakistan’s sincere efforts to play its part in an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led solution".
"We remain committed to peace in Afghanistan and shall continue to endeavor towards this end irrespective of the detractors," it claimed.
The Afghan Vice President's remark merely clarifies that Pakistan is supporting the Taliban to prevent Afghan forces from regaining control of the Spin Boldak area in Kandahar.
The Taliban have reportedly taken control over the Chaman-Spin Boldak border crossing with Pakistan. This is perhaps near the second most important border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The episode has left Pakistan red-faced certainly.
Pak PM Imran Khan also on Friday denied Afghan charges and said, "….the country that will be most affected by turmoil in Afghanistan is Pakistan. Pakistan suffered 70,000 casualties in the last 15 years. The last thing Pakistan wants is more conflict."
He, however, suggested that the great opportunity to force the Taliban to come to the negotiating table has been lost.
"When there were 150,000 Nato troops, that was the time to ask the Taliban to come to the table. Why were the Taliban going to compromise once the exit date was given? Why would they listen to us when they are sensing victory" said Imran Khan.
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