New York, Apr 18 (PTI) As the Afghan endgame looms, Pakistan and US are having differing and even irreconcilable aims in Afghanistan, with Islamabad pushing to increase its leverage in Kabul even at the cost of cutting out Washington.
The Americans are seeking a strong and centralised Afghan government commanding a large army that can control its territory, Pakistan is pressing for a loosely governed neighbour where it can influence events through Taliban proxies, the New York Times reported citing top US and Pakistani official.
The Pakistanis are nervous of the US aims to have a strong Afghanistan and Islamabad is pressing for a small Afghan army and wants to play a crucial role after the American exit from the country.