Shah Mahmood Qureshi affirms Pak's commitment to play constructive role in Afghanistan

Amid Afghanistan crisis, Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on August 21 spoke to Secretary-General of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Yousef bin Ahm Al-Othaimeen. While taking to Twitter, Qureshi informed that during phone call, he affirmed Pakistan’s shared commitment to continue playing a constructive role for sustainable peace in war-torn country. He also emphasised importance of international community to stay engaged and support Afghan economy, reconstruction and rehabilitation. 

Qureshi to visit Taliban controlled-Afghan 

Qureshi phone call with Yousef bin Ahm comes after it was reported that Pakistan foreign minister will be first guest of Taliban after insurgent group took over multiple provinces in Afghanistan. He will reportedly visit Kabul on Sunday, August 22. He is expected to facilitate negotiations between Taliban and Hazara and Tajik leers. Both ethnic groups practice Shia Islam and have faced long-term discrimination and abuse in predominantly Sunni Afghanistan.

Earlier this week, Qureshi h said that propaganda by Ashraf Ghani ministration against Taliban is false, calling out that insurgents have announced a general amnesty across country and are not barring girls' education. Evidence of this on ground is absent, however. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan h also shown his support to Taliban openly. He said that Afghans h "broken shackles of slavery" while describing Taliban's 'triumph' over Kabul.

However, later, Pakistani government me a U-turn on Afghanistan crisis saying it will not recognize Taliban government in war-torn country as of yet. Imran Khan’s government has been condemned for supporting insurgents throughout ir march in South Asian country. After Taliban captured Kabul on Sunday which triggered concerns of safety of women and children, he said, “You take over or culture and become psychologically subservient. When that happens, please remember, it is worse than actual slavery. It is harder to throw off chains of cultural enslavement. What is happening in Afghanistan now, y have broken shackles of slavery”. 

(Image: AP)