ISLAMABAD: United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Wednesday spoke by phone with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and discussed the drawdown in Afghanistan.
Under a 2020 agreement reached by the Trump administration, the Taliban required the departure by May 1 of all US troops and non-diplomatic civilian personnel.
President Joe Biden delayed the pullout while his administration reviewed the agreement and Afghanistan policy. He decided earlier this month to begin the withdrawal and complete it by September 11, the anniversary of Al-Qaeda’s 2001 attacks on the United States that triggered the US-led invasion that year.
“During the call, Secretary Austin reaffirmed the importance of the US – Pakistan bilateral relationship and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support for Afghanistan Peace Negotiations,” a statement by the US department of defense said. “Secretary Austin and General Bajwa also discussed the drawdown in Afghanistan.”
The statement added: “Secretary Austin and General Bajwa discussed the importance of regional stability and the desire for the United States and Pakistan to continue working together on shared goals and objectives in the region.”
The departure of thousands of American contractors, especially those serving the Afghan security forces, has raised concerns among some US and Pakistani officials about the ability of the Afghan government and military to sustain critical functions. Officials worry the departure would cede control to the Taliban, expressing concerns about rights, the potential for civil war and whether Afghanistan would again become a refuge for militants.
US secretary of defense, Pakistan army chief discuss Afghan drawdown
https://arab.news/94uxa
US secretary of defense, Pakistan army chief discuss Afghan drawdown
- Biden decided earlier this month to begin troop withdrawal and complete it by September 11
- Officials express concerns about rights, potential for civil war, whether Afghanistan would become militant refuge
Pakistan deputy PM speaks with Iranian FM as Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles and drones
- Ishaq Dar expresses concern over evolving regional situation as both officials agree to remain in contact
- Pakistan earlier reminded Tehran of its mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia during diplomatic outreach
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday amid escalating tensions in the Gulf, including recent missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia that were intercepted by the Kingdom’s air defenses.
The call comes as Islamabad remains in contact with both Tehran and Gulf states to prevent the widening Iran conflict from spilling further across the region, particularly after attempted strikes on Saudi territory, a sensitive development for Pakistan, which signed a mutual defense pact with the Kingdom last year.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said Dar raised concerns about the evolving regional situation during the conversation.
“Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke this evening with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The DPM/FM expressed concern over the evolving regional situation. The two agreed to remain in touch on the developments,” it added.
The ministry did not share details of the conversation, though it came amid fast-moving developments in the region, with Saudi Arabia saying its air defenses intercepted multiple missiles and drones early on Friday.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s adviser on political affairs Rana Sanaullah said Pakistan was in contact with Iran to discourage attacks on Gulf countries and prevent misunderstandings.
“Such attacks should not be carried out from Iran’s side,” he told Geo TV.
Prior to that, the deputy prime minister told Pakistan’s Senate that Islamabad had engaged both Iran and Saudi Arabia at the outset of Iran’s retaliation in the region, reminding Tehran of its defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and conveying assurances from Riyadh that Saudi territory would not be used against Iran.
Pakistan says its administration is striving to end the conflict, though the United States-Israeli strikes on Iran, which triggered the war and led to its spillover, have only intensified.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday some countries had begun mediation efforts but insisted Tehran would defend its sovereignty.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” on his Truth Social platform as the confrontation shows little sign of easing.
