Taliban Are Normal Civilians, Not Military Outfits: Pakistan PM Imran Khan

Islamabad: Stating that the United States has “really messed it up” in Afghanistan,  Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan recently questioned the American motive for the 2001 invasion of the country in the first place and then their subsequent attempts of seeking a political solution with the Taliban from a position of weakness. Khan also said that the only good solution to Afghanistan’s situation is through a political settlement that is “inclusive and involves all factions, including the Taliban.Also Read - Record 5,183 Civilian Casualties in Violence-Marred Afghanistan in 2021 So Far: UN

Under a deal with the Taliban, the US and its NATO allies agreed to withdraw all troops in return for a commitment by the militants that they would prevent extremist groups from operating in areas they control. US President Joe Biden has announced that American troops will be out of the country by August 31. Also Read - India to Press For International Travel Resumption During US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's Visit

The Taliban ruled Afghanistan by brute force from 1996 to 2001 when the US invasion toppled their government. The US invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 after the Taliban refused to hand over al-Qaeda’s leader Osama bin Laden, who was behind the September 11, 2001, terror attacks in America. Khan criticised the US for trying to “look for a military solution in Afghanistan, when there never was one”.