Afghanistan: Nato troops' further stay appears meaningless: experts

Afghan affairs experts at a seminar on Afghanistan future have viewed that the Nato-led alliance troops seem meaningless to further stay in Afghanistan after the accomplishment of a decade-long mission with death of al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden last year, but the alliance states, particularly United States would have their check on the emerging regional giants by establishing permanent bases there.
The seminar on Afghanistan, its present situation and future threats' held under auspices of Institute of Regional Studies here at Department of Pakistan Studies, University of Peshawar. Expert on Afghan affair, and journalist, Saleem Safi was keynote speaker at the seminar. Other speakers included Director, Pakistan Study Centre, Professor Dr Fakhrul Islam, Dr Babar Shah, academician, and other experts. A large number of students from different departments were present on the occasion.
Giving lecture at the seminar, Salim Safi said that the US-led alliance states wants to quit its early mission in Afghanistan after killing of al Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden last year alliance forces attack at his compound in Abbottabad. He further added that the US citizens would also object any delay in withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan after accomplishment the mission.
Saleem Safi said that the US would maintain its presence to keep check on emerging regional powers in there by establishment its military bases, particularly in Northern Afghanistan. As changing dynamics, and role of different actors in Afghanistan, he said that it was quite difficult job to take control over the region. He maintained that the foreign forces invaded Afghanistan with different time by turning it to a battle ground, importantly their focus in strategic context.
Other speakers at the seminar said that the Afghans and tribal people of Pakistan had constantly exploited in the name of religion, saying that the owing to lack of understanding about traditional and cultural values of Pakhtunkhwali divided them in the eyes of World. The experts said that the region has much worth due to strategic, economic location, because of which the rights of local people had immensely violated during time-to time invasion of foreign forces in Afghanistan and adjacent region.
The speakers said that the external powers had taken full benefit from the internal rift and differences between two neighbouring states, Pakistan and Afghanistan, therefore, need to mindful about the fact and ground reality, then take any hostile steps against each other, they suggested. When participants asked from the experts about re-emergence of Taliban rule, the responded that said it was quite difficult to regain old position by Taliban in Afghanistan.