• Danish PM calls Imran
• Afghan delegation meets army chief

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday decided that it would not recognise the Taliban government unilaterally but with a consent of regional and international powers and urged all Afghan leaders to take all stakeholders on board for sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Presiding over a meeting of the cabinet, Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan expressed the hope that the Taliban would adhere to respecting and protecting human rights in Afghanistan.

“Pakistan would take a decision about recognising Taliban government in Afghanistan in consultation with regional and international powers, especially China, Turkey and the United States of America,” Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said at a post-cabinet meeting press conference.

The cabinet expressed the hope that Taliban would not allow the use of their land against Pakistan and any other country, he said.

During a meeting with an eight-member Afghan leaders’ delegation, Prime Minister Khan said in the current situation, great responsibility rested on the Afghan leaders to work constructively together to lead Afghanistan on the path of sustainable peace, stability and development.

He underscored the importance of all sides working to secure an inclusive political solution.

Welcoming the delegation, Mr Khan assured them of Pakistan’s strong support and solidarity for the fraternal people of Afghanistan, linked to the people of Pakistan through immutable bonds of faith, history, geography, culture and kinship.

He underlined that no other country was more desirous of peace and stability in Afghanistan than Pakistan.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, the prime minister assured the country’s steadfast support for efforts in that direction.

The delegation members thanked the prime minister for receiving them and appreciated Pakistan’s support for the peace efforts.

They emphasised multi-ethnic nature of Afghan society and the importance of an inclusive dispensation.

The Afghan delegation also reiterated the desire to further strengthen the brotherly relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

`Peaceful change’

At the media briefing, Fawad Chaudhry said the cabinet lauded peaceful change in Afghanistan, adding that Pakistan would not take a unilateral decision about recognising Taliban government and was in close contact with global powers in that regard.

Pakistan remained committed to an inclusive political settlement representative of all Afghan ethnic groups, which was the way forward, he said.

“Pakistan had earlier asked former president of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani to establish a broad-based government by including other stakeholders in his government. Now Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the former Afghan government to establish an inclusive government in Afghanistan,” he added.

Afghan delegation meets Bajwa

The Afghan delegation comprising Salahuddin Rabbani, Mohammad Younis Qanooni, Ustad Mohammad Karim Khalili, Ahmed Zia Masoud, Ustad Mohammad Muhaqiq, Ahmed Wali Masoud, Abdul Latif Pidram and Khalid Noor also met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and discussed current situation in Afghanistan with him.

The army chief said Pakistan desired broad-based relations with Afghanistan and was willing to do everything possible to help Afghanistan achieve an all-inclusive settlement which was vital for regional peace and prosperity. The army chief reiterated that Pakistan stood with the people of Afghanistan.

The Afghan delegation acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Army’s sacrifices, untiring efforts and contributions for peace, stability and socio-economic development of Afghanistan. The delegation also expressed their views regarding way forward for Afghanistan.

Danish PM calls Imran

Prime Minister Khan and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen during a telephonic conversation exchanged views on the evolving situation in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Khan, who received a telephone call from Ms Frederiksen, shared Pakistan’s perspective, emphasising the importance of ensuring safety and security as well as protection of rights of all Afghans.

He also underscored the importance of working out an inclusive political settlement.

The Danish leader highlighted Pakistan’s facilitating role in the evacuation of diplomatic personnel and staff of international organisations and others from Afghanistan, as requested.

The prime minister of Denmark thanked Mr Khan for Pakistan’s support and assistance in the evacuation endeavours.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2021