Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Asif Yasin Malik (Defense Expert): Despite stationing its troops in Afghanistan for over two decades, the US could not achieve its objectives. The US has had a soft corner for Daesh militants and they did not attack them. The blood of innocent Afghans is on the hands of the US. Why did the US not find Al-Qaeda during their long stay in Afghanistan? The US is trying to create instability in Afghanistan in order to keep its influence in the region. Indians have no place in Afghanistan for the foreseeable future. Indian media and policy makers are not in a mood to talk to Taliban openly. Proxy war and terrorism by India is likely to continue inside Pakistan. Our security agencies and government have to take extra care of this situation. We should keep new Afghan refugees in camps and not allow them to roam the country freely.

Dr. Khurram Iqbal (IR Expert): Other militant groups are trying to entrench themselves in Afghanistan. Yesterday’s attack could be the handiwork of Daesh to avenge the death of their leaders. During last seven years, we have seen bloody clashes between Taliban and Daesh militants. Tension between Daesh and Afghan Taliban is likely to persist and will put real challenges to regional and international security as well. Spoilers in Afghanistan are in the form of state actors as well as non-state actors. India has been spoiling situation in Afghanistan as a state actor for the last two decades. It is using terrorists based in Afghanistan to extend its foreign policy objectives. It has supported and abetted members of TTP, Baloch insurgents and other militants acting against Chinese state. I think regional countries can work together to thwart these designs by state as well as non-state actors.

Dr. Zahid Anwar Khan (Afghan Expert): The current situation was created in Afghanistan due to sudden withdrawal of foreign troops from the country. Pakistan has made efforts to evacuate not only Pakistanis but also foreigners stranded in Kabul. Pakistan’s role of facilitation has helped avert civil war in Afghanistan. Pakistan has had contacts with various stakeholders in Afghanistan and Islamabad has used them for peace in the neighboring country. Pakistan always wants a stable and prosperous Afghanistan. The attitude of Taliban is very positive so far and it is hoped that there will be no civil war in Afghanistan and lasting peace in the country will prevail.