PESHAWAR: Awami National Party president Asfandyar Wali Khan has suggested that China should become guarantor between Pakistan and Afghanistan instead of facilitating dialogue.

Addressing the party central council at Bacha Khan Markaz here on Monday, he said that the policy of US President Donald Trump would be devastating for Pakistan and Afghanistan. He urged both the neighbouring countries to take confidence building measures to overcome mistrust, according to a statement.

“Mistrust between the two countries has engulfed the entire region,” said the ANP chief. He urged China to play the role of guarantor instead of facilitating dialogue between the two countries.

Mr Khan said that both Islamabad and Kabul should not ignore the new policy of President Trump. He said that both countries should remove mistrust and take concrete steps to improve ties. He said that consultation among China, Pakistan and Russia about the future of Afghanistan without including Kabul had created misunderstanding.

The ANP chief said that Afghan imbroglio could not be solved without involving Kabul in the peace talks. He said that China had shown flexibility on Afghan issue that was a positive step.

Mrt Khan said that obsolete internal and external policies of the country affected relations with Afghanistan, Iran and India. He said that ANP had been demanding of the government since long to revisit the foreign policy.

He said that 20-point National Action Plan was sacrificed for “reconciliation” and federal government did not fulfil its responsibilities in that regard. As a result terrorist groups had reorganised in the country, he added.

Commenting on the post-Panama verdict situation, Mr Khan said that ANP had cautioned leadership of PML-N that controversy would plunge the country into crises. He said that minus-one formula would never succeed in national politics.

Mr Khan said that ANP would participate in long march to be held for reforms in Fata on October 9. He urged the government to give representation to people of Fata in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly in the coming general elections.

He also criticised policies of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2017