Pakistan not to recognize Taliban solely

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A regional and consensual approach is the best way forward to recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan according to the spokesperson of the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.

He considered that such an approach holds greater value than a solo decision on the matter. 

In a media briefing, on Friday, Ahmad said, “We thought that it would be the best to do it through a regional, consensual approach,” adding, “And there is increasing understanding that some kind of engagement with the interim Afghan authorities is essential to address this situation. So it is in that context, that different countries, at different levels, are in touch or have engaged with the Afghan interim authorities.”

Until now, no country has officially recognized the Taliban government.

A UN report recently highlighted the threat posed by Al-Qaeda, Daesh-Khorasan, and the Tehreek-e-Taliban, Pakistan (TTP). Ahmad referenced this report and argued that the international community expects of Taliban, vis-a-vis the Afghan authorities, not to allow using Afghanistan as a territory from which terrorism originates against any other nation or people. 

The spokesperson said during the media briefing that “this expectation remains there. I think this is a collective responsibility because this is not a new problem. Some of these groups have been there for a long time, and this problem has existed and lingered on,” adding that “I think one of the ways to address this problem is to engage with the Afghan authorities to help them in different ways – in capacity building and other assistance that would enable them to effectively tackle some of these groups because as we have said, on many occasions, this is a threat that is common to all."

On July 22, a day prior, Iran’s Special Representative on Afghanistan Hassan Kazemi Qomi arrived in Islamabad to confer with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. 

According to the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, Zardari "reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful, stable, prosperous, and connected Afghanistan."

In addition, the Pakistani newspaper The Nation reported that "both Pakistan and Iran are also participating in a regional conference on Afghanistan to be held on July 26 in Tashkent. Both sides would discuss various proposals related to the conference as well. Special representatives from twenty countries in Afghanistan would also be attending the conference."

The political and economic unrest in Pakistan has had a significant negative influence on Afghanistan. In addition, problems like recurrent border closures and ongoing hostilities along Durand Line have restricted trade into Kabul.

Pakistan's political turmoil has started to affect its deteriorating economic state, making the circumstances very difficult and pitiful. Anger and dissatisfaction among the populace are at an all-time high. While people's purchasing power is rapidly declining, inflation is surging.

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