Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said the country made a “huge mistake” by joining hands with the United States in its Afghan 'war on terror' as it has caused “tremendous damage” to the country. He also lamented the decision of past rulers of joining foreign wars in exchange for aid. 

According to a report on The Express Tribune, Khan held the past rulers responsible for the “flawed policies.” After the attack of 9/11 in the United States, Pakistan, under the leadership of military ruler Gen Parvez Musharraf, had joined America’s global war on terrorism. in 2001. 

“First we made a mistake by joining someone else’s war… we (Pakistan) had nothing to do with 9/11 attacks,” Khan was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune. He also added the country needed to learn that there is no free lunch.

He also added that the lesson from the past as that Pakistsan needed to make the country strong "so that we don’t rely on loans and aids". He hoped that the country would soon “stand on its own feet” once it realizes its true potential. 

After 19 years of war in Afghanistan, the United States signed a deal with the Taliban in February 2020. Pakistan played a crucial role in bringing the Taliban to the table for a negotiated settlement.