ISLAMABAD: US General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said he had advised the US government that an “accelerated withdrawal” from Afghanistan would increase several risks, including to regional instability and the security of Pakistan and its nuclear arsenals.
He was speaking at his first public congressional testimony since the Taliban won the war in Afghanistan in August and the US concluded its troop withdrawal.
The general, 63, remained unshaken as Republicans called for his resignation during an already contentious hearing that was meant to focus on the chaotic US withdrawal.
“My job is to advise the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council of various military options and associated costs, benefits, risk to force, and risk to mission,” Milley said, saying that in the fall of 2020, his analysis had been that an “accelerated withdrawal” without meeting necessary conditions risked losing the substantial gains made in Afghanistan, damaging US credibility, and a general collapse of the Afghan army and the Afghan government resulting in a complete Taliban takeover or a civil war.
“Additionally, we estimated an accelerated withdrawal would increase risks of regional instability, the security of Pakistan and its nuclear arsenals, a global rise in violent extremist organizations, our global credibility with allies and partners would suffer, and a narrative of abandoning the Afghans would become widespread,” the general said.
He also said there was a need to “fully examine the role of Pakistan sanctuary,” referring to accusations that Pakistan had provided safe havens to Afghan Taliban and allied militants over the years. Islamabad denies the charge.
Gen. Frank McKenzie, the leader of US Central Command, also spoke at the Senate Armed Services Committee, saying the relationship between Pakistan and the Taliban was likely to become more “complicated” in the future.
“I believe Pakistan’s relationship with the Taliban is going to become significantly more complicated as a result of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan,” McKenzie said, adding that the US was negotiating with Pakistan over the use of an air corridor to access Afghanistan.
“Over the last 20 years we’ve been able to use what we call the air boulevard to go in over western Pakistan and that’s become something that’s vital to us, as well as certain landlines of communication,” McKenzie said, “and we’ll be working with the Pakistanis in the days and weeks ahead to look at what that relationship is going to look like in the future.”
US general says had warned ‘accelerated’ Afghan withdrawal could risk security of Pakistan’s nukes
https://arab.news/rym7e
US general says had warned ‘accelerated’ Afghan withdrawal could risk security of Pakistan’s nukes
- General Milley was speaking at his first public congressional testimony since the Taliban won the war in August
- CENTCOM leader General McKenzie says US negotiating with Pakistan over use of air corridor to access Afghanistan
PCB sets Feb. 11 as date for player auction for Pakistan Super League 11th edition
- The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and a maximum of 20
- The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced that the player auction for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be held on Feb. 11, setting the stage for franchises to begin assembling squads for the country’s premier Twenty20 tournament.
The development came after a workshop regarding PSL player auction at the Qaddafi Stadium, which was presided over by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and PSL CEO Salman Naseer.
The workshop was attended by PSL officials, all eight franchise representatives, members of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, PCB officials and other capped players.
“The HBL PSL management shared a detailed presentation on the mechanics of the retention and the auction process and consulted with all the participants,” the PCB said.
“It was agreed that the HBL PSL player auction will take place on Wednesday, 11 February.”
The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and maximum of 20 players per franchise. The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size, according to the PCB.
It would be mandatory for the franchises to play minimum of three and maximum of four foreign players in the playing XI. The teams are also required to have minimum of two uncapped Under 23 players in the squad and one in the playing XI.
Players either retained or picked in the auction will be engaged for two-year contracts with their respective franchise teams, the board said, adding that franchise teams will be able to retain a maximum of seven players for the 12th edition of the tournament.
“I’m delighted that a consultative and productive session was held between the franchises, players and management today resulting in informed and strategic decisions which will pave the way for bright future for the HBL PSL,” Naqvi said.
“The Player Auction model is a landmark step for the HBL PSL, offering players better financial opportunities through an increased salary purse and a transparent acquisition process, while making the league more competitive and attractive.”
PSL CEO Naseer said the player auction system modernizes player recruitment by promoting fairness, transparency, and market-driven value, strengthening the PSL’s appeal for both players and franchises.
“Today’s workshop saw all views being taken into consideration and this rich feedback will be reflected in our execution of a successful player auction scheduled next month,” he said.
PSL has become a key pillar of the country’s cricket economy, providing financial stability to the PCB and serving as a talent pipeline for the national team. The 11th edition of the league is set to begin from Mar. 26 while the final is expected to be played on May 3, as per the PCB’s schedule.
