Khan, who was a longtime critic of Pakistan’s participation in the nearly two-decade-long warclaimed that he was close to decision-makers in 2001 when the then military ruler General Pervez Musharraf decided to be part of the ‘war on terror’.
“And so, I am well aware of what were the thoughts behind the decision. Unfortunately, the people of Pakistan were not paid attention,” Khan said while addressing the Foreign Ministry officials in Islamabad.
“Instead, the ideas were similar to those of the 1980s, when we participated in the Afghan jihad,” he said, referring to the Soviet-Afghan war, which was then called the “holy war”.
“We ourselves are responsible … as we do” [others] Use us, sacrifice our country’s reputation for aid and make a foreign policy that is against the public interest [and was devised] For money.”
He termed the ‘war on terror’ as a “own wound” for Pakistan and said that “we cannot blame anyone else for the outcome (of the war).”
Khan had cited frequently in the past that the 20 years of war resulted in more than 80,000 deaths and more than $100 billion in economic losses to Pakistan.
Talking about the latest situation in Afghanistan, Khan said it was a “great atrocity” that a man-made crisis was being created “when it is known that freeing Afghanistan’s accounts and liquidity will avert the crisis.” “
He said that it is important for Pakistan to address the situation in Afghanistan as its neighboring country, it can be badly affected due to the crisis.
He said that Pakistan will continue to provide aid to Afghanistan in this difficult time.
He further added that regardless of liking or disliking the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the world should focus on the difficulties faced by its 40 million people.
Khan congratulated and appreciated the Foreign Office for hosting the session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at the short notice and said the response to the summit shows that Pakistan’s image has improved globally.
“The attendance at the summit and appreciation for Pakistan’s stand shows that the country’s image has improved,” the premier said, adding that the credit for “improving Pakistan’s image” goes to his government.
The Prime Minister urged the officials of the Ministry to shift their focus from geo-politics to geo-economics and said that Pakistan can become a great country by focusing on self-confidence.
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