Pakistan hopes for an orderly withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan to avoid a security vacuum, Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Hussain Qureshi told Sputnik on Friday
MUNICH (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 15th February, 2019) Pakistan hopes for an orderly withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan to avoid a security vacuum, Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Hussain Qureshi told Sputnik on Friday."We would not want a sudden [US troops] withdrawal. We want a withdrawal which is a responsible withdrawal. Because what we want in Afghanistan is no vacuum. And we do not want the country to be put into some kind of anarchy or civil war," he said on sidelines of Munich Security Conference.
The Pakistani diplomat confirmed that Washington was open to discussions on a withdrawal or a reduction of the US military presence.
"It has been debated. When it should take place, what the timeframe should be, should it be a reduction, or should it be a withdrawal. Discussions are going on. Nothing is finalized, but people are open to ideas and people are talking and engaging with each other which is a very healthy sign," he said.
The United States has reportedly been considering pulling as many as half of its 14,000 troops from Afghanistan, with the Taliban demanding an end to US military presence. US officials have held a series of talks with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar in an effort to secure their support for the Afghan peace process.
