Hope Afghan govt will help combat terror: Bilawal

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan hopes Afghanistan’s new government will help it combat terrorist activity on its side of the Durand Line.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, currently on a visit to the United States, said: “We continue to not only monitor this situation, but work on our side to ensure we tackle the threat of terrorism.”

In an interview aired in Wednesday, Bilawal hoped the Taliban government would honour its promise of not allowing the use of its soil for terrorist activity.

CNN’s Christiane Amanpour asked him how he saw the Taliban government after reports emerged that Kabul had brokered a ceasefire between the Pakistani military and the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

About the recognition of the Taliban regime, the foreign minister said any decision on the issue would be taken in line with discussions with the global fraternity.

“We continue to advocate for engagement (with Afghan rulers), particularly in light of the humanitarian crisis developing in Afghanistan,” the visiting minister added.

In response to another query, he promised Pakistan would continue urging the Taliban to give Afghan women their rights to education and jobs in line with Islamic teachings

With regard to Pakistan’s alleged support to the Taliban, Bilawal Zardari said his country had consistently engaged with Afghanistan regardless of who was in power.

“We must alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, ensure there’s no economic collapse and hold the Taliban to the international commitments,” he stressed.

He went on to explain that the US, not Pakistan, had direct communication with the Taliban before their takeover of Kabul in August 2021. “It will not serve anyone’s interests if we abandon the people of Afghanistan once again.”

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