Afghanistan News24: Former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of Afghans, saying there is a gap between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s statements on Afghan women’s rights and Pakistan’s policies toward Afghanistan and Afghans.
Khalilzad said that in his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women. However, he argued that Pakistan’s policies over the past three decades raise questions about the sincerity of such commitments.
He pointed to what he described as Pakistan’s support for militant groups fighting U.S. forces, as well as its treatment of Afghan refugees, as examples of policies that have contributed to concerns about Islamabad’s approach toward Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s treatment of Afghan students has also drawn attention. Pakistani authorities have, at different times, asked some Afghan students to leave universities in the country, with Afghan female students among those affected.
Khalilzad said Afghanistan and Pakistan both need—and should have—much better relations, adding that a reset in ties between the two countries is necessary.
