By Muhammad Luqman
US Ambassador to Afghanistan John R. Bass’s tweet in which he advised Prime Minister Imran not to go for ball temperating with Afghanistan peace process, has drawn sharp response from Pakistani politicians and intelligentia.
“Some aspects of cricket apply well in diplomacy, some do not. Imran Khan, important to resist temptation to ball-tamper with the Afghanistan peace process and its internal affairs,” Ambassador Bass had tweeted.
The remarks stirred the worst diplomatic controversy in South Asia in recent years, with many Pakistanis wondering how a diplomatic representative could insult the prime minister of a neighbouring country by accusing him of being a cheat.
According to English Daily, The Dawn, Mosharraf Zaidi, columnist and activist, termed the Tweet an embarrassment for the US. He said the Foreign Office should respond — in a strong, swift and unflinching manner — to the diatribe. He added that mid-level bureaucrats publicly speaking like this about the prime minister (of Pakistan) is a red line.
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s comments on Afghanistan have been reported out of context in the media, leading to unwarranted reaction from various quarters. In his comments, the Prime Minister had referred to Pakistan’s model where elections are held under an interim government. The comments should not be misinterpreted to imply interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. Pakistan has no other interest in Afghanistan except to promote peace through an ‘Afghan owned’ and ‘Afghan led’ political process, spokesman of Pakistan’s foreign office said.
Prime Minister of Pakistan has taken personal interest in facilitating the ongoing political reconciliation process and the same must not be misconstrued to undermine the sincere efforts of Pakistan or to create misunderstandings at this crucial stage of the process. Prime Minister of Pakistan understands the plight of brave people of Afghanistan, who have a right to live in peace after four decades of violence and war.
Defence and security analyst Ejaz Haider recommended a “refresher course in diplomatic nuance”.
Finance Minister Asad Umar criticised the US envoy and raised questions over the envoy’s diplomatic skills.
“Your tweet shows you understand neither cricket nor diplomacy,” he said. “With the Afghan peace process at such a critical juncture, [I] hope the US will be able to find better diplomatic skills to deal with the delicate issues at hand.”
Minister of Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi also added his two cents, saying Bass would never make the list of “good ambassadors of the US […] with that attitude.”
Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari was more combative in her response. Terming the US ambassador a “little pygmy”, she reprimanded the envoy saying that his “knowledge of ball-tampering is as void as [his] understanding of Afghanistan and the region!”
“Clearly in your case ignorance is certainly not bliss! Another sign of Trumpian mischief a la Khalilzad style!” she added.
The tweet raised several eyebrows, with some criticising the human rights minister’s use of ‘undiplomatic language’.
The latest diplomatic falling out over the Afghan peace process stemmed from a news report stating that Prime Minister Imran Khan had “suggested” the setting up of an interim setup in Afghanistan.
The premier had allegedly told journalists on Monday that forming an interim Afghan government would smooth peace talks between the United States and Taliban officials since the militant group refuses to speak to the current government, but the Foreign Office later said the remarks had been misreported.
Afghanistan had recalled its own ambassador in Islamabad, and summoned Pakistan’s deputy ambassador in Kabul to discuss what it described as “irresponsible” remarks by Prime Minister Khan.
