ISLAMABAD, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Wednesday that Pakistan has no favorites in neighboring Afghanistan and it would respect the Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process.
Addressing a session of the National Assembly or the lower house of the country's parliament, the prime minister said "we do not want any kind of strategic depth in Afghanistan. We do not want any favorites or choose any party in Afghanistan. Afghans are our brothers, and what they like for themselves, we shall support it."
Khan, in his policy statement, told the house that he already had meetings with the Afghan leadership, including President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, and told them that Pakistan has great interests if there is peace in Afghanistan because "Pakistan wants betterment of Afghan economy for bilateral trade, and want to enhance trade relations with Central Asian nations via Afghanistan by new roads and railway links."
The United States abruptly announced the exit date and then asked Pakistan to bring the Taliban to talks, said Khan, adding "we have no leverage over them (Taliban) other than that we suggest them that conflict or prolonged civil war is not a solution of Afghan issues."
Khan expressed his fear that if there is a civil war, it would bring a disaster for Afghanistan, which would also have effects on Pakistan in the aftermath.
Explaining his recent response to the U.S. media over a question about the United States' demand of an airbase in Pakistan to overlook the situation in Afghanistan, the prime minister said "Pakistan would never compromise over its sovereignty and Pakistan can always be a partner with the United States in peace but not in any conflict." Enditem
