Pakistan made a mistake in the past by choosing among conflicting Afghan parties. We have learned from our experience and would never repeat the mistake of joining the U.S again, said Prime Minister Imran Khan in his opinion article for the Washington Post.
He stated that the losses Pakistan suffered from the Afghanistan War, which was a result of joining the U.S efforts, were unbearable. More than 70,000 Pakistani people have been killed, tourism has declined, Pakistan’s economic losses have exceeded $150 billion, while the United States provided only $20 billion in aid, he added.
The executive also expressed his concerns about the aftermath of allowing U.S military bases in Pakistan. He said that our country was labeled as a collaborator previously as well, which led to terrorism against Pakistan from the Tehreek-e-Taliban and other groups. If Pakistan were to agree to host U.S bases this time as well, the U.S would bomb Afghanistan, and Pakistan would be targeted for revenge by terrorists again. We simply cannot afford this. We have already paid too heavy a price, said the PM.
Imran Khan further questioned the demand for military bases by U.S, “If the United States, with the most powerful military machine in history, couldn’t win the war from inside Afghanistan after 20 years, how would America do it from bases in our country?”
The Prime Minister conclusively showed his proponency of negotiated peace and development in the region and ensured that Pakistan is ready to work with anybody that considers the confidence of Afghan People, but will never allow U.S military bases in Pakistan.