We didn't think about consequences of 'Kabul tea': Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari
(This story originally appeared in on Jan 16, 2024)
NEW DELHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday took a swipe at Imran Khan-led PTI government's decision to dash then ISI chief Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed to Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover in August 2021.
Speaking at a rally in Ratodero, Larkana, Bilawal, reflecting on Faiz Hameed's visit to Afghanistan, said “we didn’t think [about the consequences] when we were having a cup of tea in Kabul.” In September 2021, during a crucial period marked by the Taliban's efforts to establish a government in Afghanistan, Pakistan's influential intelligence head, Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, made an unexpected visit to Kabul. “Don’t worry, everything will be okay,” Hameed had triumphantly told reporters at the airport.
Bilawal criticized the PTI government's decision to engage in peace talks with the Taliban (TTP) and to allow them to resettle in Pakistan, particularly in Karachi and the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata). “We invited the terrorists to live in Karachi and Fata [the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Area],” Bilawal said. He labeled this move as disastrous for the country.
The PPP chairman, while addressing the rally, vowed to confront and overcome the current challenges facing the country. He expressed confidence that the people would opt for a new direction in the upcoming elections on February 8. Bilawal reiterated his commitment to ending the politics of hate and division and establishing a government for the people. He emphasized the growing threat of terrorism and his determination to eradicate it.
Speaking at a rally in Dera Murad
