Ghani: Situation in Afghanistan Not a Civil War

President Ghani during his speech at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) in India said that south Asia is reeling under “two wars” one in Afghanistan which “is not a civil war” and the other in Pakistan.

Interacting with participants, including strategic experts, and media persons at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, President Ghani said that the conflict in north-western parts of Pakistan and Balochistan is equivalent to a “war” and unlike the violence in his country, the media is “not covering” this and use of force by Pakistan army.

President Ghani has accused Pakistan of waging war in Balochistan province and across South Asia. Speaking during a two-day visit to India, he called on the media to expand their coverage and highlight the issues that are currently prevailing in Pakistan’s restive region.

Ghani met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed his concern over continuing terrorism in the region. Reportedly hinting at Pakistan, he called for an end to all sponsorships and safe-havens to terrorists.

“Today there are two wars raging [in South Asia]. The war in my country is not a civil war. What kind of a political solution is possible when you have nine internationally recognized terrorist groups operating in your country [Afghanistan]?” The Hindu quoted Ghani as saying.

“The second war is the war in Pakistan. But the media do not speak about that. There are 207,000 members of the Pakistani army just in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and of course in Balochistan. This war needs coverage,” he added.

Both Modi and Ghani reaffirmed their commitment to tackle cross-border terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation. Since Pakistan’s “undeclared war is intensifying”, the Afghan president said, defeating terrorism needs international cooperation.

Addressing a government-funded thinktank, Ghani said: “Forty years of violence would have broken any other country.”

Delhi and Kabul share a common neighbor, Pakistan, and both have accused it of sponsoring terrorism and giving sanctuaries to terror outfits like Taliban and al-Haqqani. Pakistan has denied all accusations.

Meanwhile, India said it would extend $1bn towards Afghanistan’s development. This is in addition to the nearly $2bn that India has already provided. However, both the leaders refrained from mentioning about India’s military assistance that Afghanistan had requested.

The Afghan army has asked for more attack helicopters, tanks and weapons as well as providing training to Afghan forces. The troops are currently supported by the US to intensify the battle against Islamist insurgency, including the Islamic State (Isis) and other terror groups that have been posing a serious threat across the country.

The US has also called for India’s assistance to the Afghan forces, especially in repairing and servicing of Russian-made aircraft. Kabul is reportedly struggling to get spare parts for the aircraft because of sanctions against Russia by the west.