Gulf Today

Imran chose ‘humanity before politics in Afghanista­n’s crisis’

Pak premier quickly asked his people to intervene on our behalf and was able to make the difference between life and death for those onboard the first 3 jets to leave, says American broadcaste­r Beck

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American broadcaste­r Glenn Beck has said that no other global leader but Prime Minister Imran Khan took an initiative to leverage his position in saving the innocent in Afghanista­n and “puting humanity before politics.”

“His leadership of placing humanity before politics is a great example of inter-faith cooperatio­n, bridged by the shared value of human compassion,” Beck said in a series of tweets and a leter, sharing details of the support extended by Imran in evacuation of the American and local people from Afghanista­n.

Beck mentioned that in hours of desperate need, numerous leaders in political and civil society reached out around the world for help, however the “silence was shocking.”

“Some calls and requests received a simple yes or no, some went unanswered,” he said.

“But we received an immediate response to our requests from Imran Khan, who then acted on his willingnes­s to assist,” he said, expressing a sense of gratitude.

“PM Khan quickly asked his people to intervene on our behalf and was able to make the difference between life and death for those onboard the first three aircrat to leave Mazar-i-sharif in Afghanista­n with nearly a thousand civilians on board,” he said.

“Many of them are Americans.”

He said Imran’s “tireless leadership, supported by the military and civilian resources of Pakistan and their ability to cooperate with the Taliban, enabled the first two flights to depart Mazar-i-sharif with FIFA female athletes and their families onboard.”

Beck said, “Collective­ly, we transcende­d religious difference­s, political divides, national boundaries and local dynamics - it was about a humanitari­an effort aimed at saving innocent victims facing certain death if let behind in a war-ravaged country.”

“He [PM Imran Khan] took the lead to save innocent lives irrespecti­ve of politics, race, religion or culture,” he said.

“He has been gracious with his time and never once questioned our motives.”

He said other media outlets may have their own agenda for criticisin­g Imran Khan over the last few days, but the leader should be recognized for the lives he helped save this weekend.

“I sincerely thank him and pray he continues to help us work to build a bridge with the common interest of protecting innocent, precious lives during this humanitari­an effort,” said.

He stressed that the United States should collective­ly recognise Pakistan’s assistance at this juncture. “We will not forget this support that has enabled America and its allies to make good on their promises to those that helped them without pause or reflection,” he said.

Beck said Pakistan had once again proven to be a valued partner in all seasons for the United States, despite recent criticism from some sections of the American media.

“We look forward to the ongoing continued cooperatio­n in the coming weeks as we continue our common goal of protecting the innocent during this humanitari­an effort, and the United States should collective­ly recognize Pakistan’s assistance at this juncture.

On Sunday Imran has aids that Pakistan paid a “very heavy price” for siding with the US in its occupation of Afghanista­n, adding that hearing American politician­s blame Islamabad for its humiliatin­g retreat hurts.

A couple of days ago Imran Khan says he has “initiated a dialogue” with the Taliban to prod them to form an inclusive government that would ensure peace and stability not only in Afghanista­n but also in the region.

The statement by the premier came in a tweet ater the conclusion of the Shanghai Cooperatio­n Organisati­on (SCO) Summit, where regional leaders, including Imran, met to discuss the situation in Afghanista­n following the US withdrawal from the war-torn country.

On the sideline of the SCO Summit, Imran met the leadership of Afghanista­n’s neighbouri­ng countries and including Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan

Imran tweeted on Saturday that he took the initiative ater his meetings this week in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, with leaders of countries neighborin­g Afghanista­n.

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A man wades through a flooded street after a rainfall in Rawalpindi on Monday.
Agence France-presse ↑ A man wades through a flooded street after a rainfall in Rawalpindi on Monday.

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