Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the United States must reach a political settlement with all the stakeholders before leaving Afghanistan on September 11th.
In an interview with Jonathan Swan of HBO Axios, the premier said he is happy about the US exiting Afghanistan because "there was never a military solution for Afghanistan but anxious because they [Americans] are leaving without a political settlement. [And] there is a possibility of a civil war," he said.
"In case Taliban go for an all-out victory, there is going to be an incredible amount of bloodshed, and let me tell you the country that is going to suffer the most after Afghanistan is going to be Pakistan," the premier said, adding, "Pakistan suffered 70,000 casualties, more than any other country, by joining the American war."
Responding to a question about what a political settlement in Afghanistan looks like, Khan said:
"Political settlement in Afghanistan would be a coalition government. A government from the Taliban side and the other side. There is no other solution."
Making Pakistan's position clear, the prime minister said the nation will deal with whoever represents the people of Afghanistan. He said Pakistan already has 3 million Afghan refugees and a civil war could lead to another influx.
Taking a firm stand on the issue of providing air bases to the US military or allowing the CIA to have a presence in Pakistan to conduct cross border terrorism missions against Al-Qaeda, ISIS, or the Taliban, Khan said:
"Absolutely not. There is no way we are going to allow any bases or] any sort of action from Pakistani territory into Afghanistan, absolutely not. We can not afford anymore military action from our territory."
He reiterated that Pakistan will be a part of peace process and not confrontations.
While commenting on the recent unannounced visit of CIA director William Burns, Khan said that the intelligence agencies of the two countries have maintained close ties since 9/11. He added that he did not meet the CIA chief, however, the ISI chief held meetings with him.
