Focus on Security: Army Chief Meets to Afghan, Chinese FMs

Asem Mustafa Awan
Islamabad: Foreign ministers of China and Afghanistan met Army Chief General Asim Munir and the prime focus of the dialogue was on regional peace.
The army chief opined that a stable and prosperous Afghanistan will play a pivotal role in the region as Pakistan and Afghanistan are both affected by terrorism.
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang gave a blunt position of the Chinese stance and said that the Kashmir dispute is an issue that needs to be settled between Pakistan and India, and Afghanistan also agreed on it.
Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are neighboring countries and terrorism over the years have halted the progress for both and nothing can develop until and unless peace is established. The three parties discussed regional peace besides the economy.
China has played a key role in these negotiations and came with a big incentive for Afghanistan in tapping the country’s unlimited mineral reserves.
In the past the Soviet Union followed by the United States had other intentions and upright Afghans thwarted their nefarious designs.
Daisy cutter bombs, MOAB (Mother of All Bombs) were dropped in Afghanistan but despite all atrocities the brave Afghans resisted all attempts and never gave an inch of their soil.
The United States left Afghanistan almost after two decades and now Taliban are governing the country and have been quite successful in establishing peace in Afghanistan as compared to the past.
China came with a promise of heavy investment in Afghanistan and if this materialized, will change the fortunes of the country which is very much interlinked with peace in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
It is also positive to note Iran, Saudi Arabia and Russia have also announced to invest in Afghanistan as these pledges are coming at a time when China’s CPEC project is nearing completion stages.
China has Gwadar under the CPEC project and the road/ rail link to Kashgar in Central Asia has an investment of 58 billion dollars. This game changer in the region will have the world to its toes as all countries are interconnected and Pakistan and Afghanistan are key stakeholders.
Pakistan has played an important role as a facilitator in the negotiations between Afghanistan and China
Pakistan. China and Afghanistan need to increase defense and security cooperation in achieving the future that offers prosperity for all.
The Chinese Foreign Minister meeting with the army chief reiterated the resolve of China’s commitment in timely completion of CPEC.
Pakistan’s efforts in maintaining regional peace and stability were also highlighted and appreciated by the Chinese dignitary besides emerging scenarios in the region with a focus of Pakistan-China Strategic partnerships.
It is need of the hour to increase the defense and security cooperation between Pakistan, China and Afghanistan as the later two faced the common challenge in the form of terrorism.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi also met the Army Chief, in which he expressed his desire to work together with Pakistan for the promotion of regional stability and prosperity.
The Afghan Foreign Minister made it clear that no one will be allowed to use Afghan soil for terrorism or any nefarious activity.