Antony Blinken says ties with Pakistan under review over Afghanistan

Antony Blinken testified on Monday on the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan at the hearing of the home affairs committee.

The United States reviewed his relationship with Pakistan, which was the main non-NATO allies (MNNA), given his role in Afghanistan for the past 20 years and more, which, the Secretary of State Antony Blinken told parliamentary members on Monday, amounted to “hedging his bet”.

Antony Blinken also delivered a very clear message to Pakistan told it to “march” with the majority of the country to force the Taliban regime to uphold the basic rights of the people and children; Enables humanitarian assistance and form a representative government.

Testy exchange.

Antony Blinken testified on Monday on the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan at the hearing of the home affairs committee. The next five-hour session was marked by Testy’s exchange with Republican parliamentarians and occasional rap-on-the-books from the Democrats.

He left before the committee of the Senate foreign relations on Tuesday.

Members of Parliament houses the State Secretary on various problems related to the withdrawal – Timeline, surprised by the collapse of the Government of Ashraf Ghani, an unplanned and chaotic evacuation and, leaving without ensuring that every American Afghane citizen has been evacuated.

Duplicitous Pakistan.

Two members of the Democratic Parliament – Bill Keating and Joaquin Castro – bring Pakistan. Calling the role of Pakistan in Afghanistan “Duplicitous”, Keating asked whether administration was reviewing relations with Pakistan, his status as one of only 17 countries had been appointed by MNNA.

Another MNNAS is Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand and Tunisia (Taiwan received the same treatment).

Pakistan was added to the list in 2004 because of his role in the war in Afghanistan and the hunt for the 9/11 attacks.

The role of Pakistan is under the increase in supervision and criticism. Andy Biggs, a Republican member of the Republican Representative Council and local allies from former President Donald Trump, has introduced a bill at home in January to end Pakistan’s status as Mnna.

“Given the long-term support for the Taliban, it was time for the United States to re-assess his relationship with Pakistan and reassess his status as the main non-NATO allies,” Asked Representative Castro, who followed up on the line of questions about Pakistan opened by fellow Democrats Keating.

State Secretary Antony Blinken replied: “For the reason you quote and the other, this is one of the things we will look for in the days and weeks ahead: Role played by Pakistan for the last 20 years but also the role we want to see it Play in the coming years, and what is needed for it to do that. “

A US Secretary was impossible to openly spicy with the role of Pakistan at this time when Islamabad had reclaimed his pre-minin position in the present Afghanistan, and its sustainable influence on his creation, the Taliban. The US also requires Pakistani cooperation for a safe trip from its citizens, partners from Afghanistan.

Representative of Keating brought Pakistan first in the hearing. He troubled with relations with Pakistan. Given his role in the creation and labeling Taliban, he then knew very large interest by Pakistan by quoting the quote by Prime Minister Imran Khan that Afghanistan had violated the “bondage of slavery” when the Taliban took back power.

“We used to always hear diplomatically that we had a complicated relationship with … Pakistan,” said Keating. “I would say it’s often duplicate.”