As Donald Trump announced his intent to extend the US military role in Afghanistan, he also delivered a harsh warning to Pakistan.
Washington could “no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organisations”, the US president said in the speech on Monday, a charge regularly levelled by Kabul and New Delhi but denied by Islamabad.
Mr Trump threatened to cut financial aid to Pakistan if it does not do more to stop the flow of militants into Afghanistan and appealed to its arch-rival, India, to increase participation in Afghanistan’s economy and broader development.
Pakistan enjoyed special security relations with the United States when it was designated a major non-Nato ally by then US president George W Bush for its contributions to the fight against Al Qaeda. But relations between the two countries have long been strained over Afghanistan.
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Read more:
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Though there was no official Pakistani response to Mr Trump's remarks, there has been a mixed reaction from politicians and analysts, particularly regarding his call for India to step up its involvement in Afghanistan.
Abdul Ghaffar Aziz, a central leader of the Jammat-e-Islami, one of Pakistan’s leading Islamist parties, said his country had paid heavy human and economic costs in the US's so-called war on terror.
“Trump ignored atrocities of [the] Indian government in Kashmir and invited it to build Afghanistan,” Mr Aziz said.
A senior official in Pakistan’s foreign ministry said a detailed response to America's stated future strategy would follow after consultations.
"Asking Pakistan to do more is not a new thing. But this time, Pakistan is more concerned [about the US] reaching out to India, which has already been supporting Pakistani terrorist groups from Afghani soil to carry out subversive activities in Pakistan," the official told The National.
But some said the new US policy on Afghanistan was appropriate.
Afrasiab Khattak, a former member of the Pakistani senate and leader of the liberal Awami National Party, said focusing on counter terrorism was the right response as nation-building cannot be done by foreign forces.
“Making an open-ended commitment [to] an anti-terror fight and leaving space for political solution is the type of balance that can pave ground for peace,” he said.
Other analysts, however, believe Pakistan’s military has already been working on flushing out militants from the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network from tribal areas.
On August 19, a team from US Central Command, headed by senior US military official Gen Joseph L Votel, visited North Waziristan. The Pakistani army said the team expressed appreciation for the efforts made by the Pakistani military to re-establish peace in the region.
Hasan Khan, an Islamabad-based analyst who studies Pakistani-Afghani relations, said the Trump administration had for the first time adopted a clear approach towards Afghanistan but should not hold Pakistan responsible for the instability there.
Citing a report by the Special Inspector General of Afghanistan Reconstruction (Sigar), Mr Khan said 40 per cent of the country's districts were under the control of Taliban or other armed groups.
“It is also making Pakistan concerned because Pakistani militant groups, such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, have been hiding in the sanctuaries in Afghan Taliban’s controlled areas and from there carrying out cross-border attacks,” Mr Khan added.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Race card
4pm Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
4.35pm Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m
5.10pm Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m
5.45pm Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
6.20pm Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m
6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m
7.30pm Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections:
4pm Zabardast
4.35pm Ibn Malik
5.10pm Space Blues
5.45pm Kimbear
6.20pm Barney Roy
6.55pm Matterhorn
7.30pm Defoe
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ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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Top Hundred overseas picks
London Spirit: Kieron Pollard, Riley Meredith
Welsh Fire: Adam Zampa, David Miller, Naseem Shah
Manchester Originals: Andre Russell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sean Abbott
Northern Superchargers: Dwayne Bravo, Wahab Riaz
Oval Invincibles: Sunil Narine, Rilee Rossouw
Trent Rockets: Colin Munro
Birmingham Phoenix: Matthew Wade, Kane Richardson
Southern Brave: Quinton de Kock
