Engage with Taliban, Karzai asks Biden administration

KABUL (Pajhwok): Ex-president Hamid Karzai has underlined the imperative of establishing an inclusive government in Afghanistan.

Speaking exclusively to the BBC, Karzai said the new government should represent the entire Afghan if it wanted to gain international recognition.

While opposing over-the-horizon counterterrorism mission, he asked the Biden administration to work with the Taliban government.

“They and their allies and the international community must help Afghanistan rebuild itself, must heal the wounds … must work with the Taliban- they are the government today.”

Karzai called for a political process to form an inclusive government acceptable to all Afghans. He confirmed having talks with the Taliban on a wide range of issues.

The ex-president said the Taliban had agreed that Afghan girls and women would be allowed to return to school and work.

“I see the Taliban very much as my brothers and I see all others Afghans as brothers,” he said, urging the Afghans abroad to come back and build their homeland.

PAN Monitor/mud

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