Pakistan PM Imran Khan Begins Dialogue With Taliban, Seeks ‘Inclusive Afghan Govt’ To Ensure Peace & Stability

The previous Afghanistan government led by President Ashraf Ghani often accused Pakistan of giving the Taliban military aid, an allegation denied by Islamabad.

New Delhi: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday said that he has started a dialogue with the Taliban to ensure an inclusive Afghanistan government that constitutes Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks.

This comes a day after the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation sought representation for all ethnic, religious, and political groups in the new dispensation.

The Taliban, after seizing control of Afghanistan in mid-August, had promised an "inclusive" government that represents the country’s complex ethnic makeup. However, there are no Hazara members and no women in the interim 33-member Cabinet announced recently.

Taking to Twitter, Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan wrote: “After mtgs (meetings) in Dushanbe with leaders of Afghanistan's neighbours & especially a lengthy discussion with Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon, I have initiated a dialogue with the Taliban for an inclusive Afghan govt to include Tajiks, Hazaras & Uzbeks”.

“After 40 years of conflict, this inclusivity will ensure peace & a stable Afghanistan, which is in the interest not only of Afghanistan but the region as well,” he added.

Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Friday, Imran Khan had said that “the Taliban must fulfill the pledges made, above all for an inclusive political structure where all ethnic groups are represented. This is vital for Afghanistan's stability”, news agency PTI reported.

He stressed that it was important to ensure respect for the rights while making certain that Afghanistan would never again be made a safe haven for terrorists.

The SCO leaders issued a joint declaration at the end of the annual Summit of the bloc in Tajikistan on Friday where they voiced support for an independent, democratic and peaceful Afghanistan, free of terrorism, war, and drugs.

"Member States believe that it is critical to have an inclusive Government in Afghanistan, with representatives from all ethnic, religious and political groups of Afghan society," the joint declaration read, as quoted by PTI.

The statement apparently refers to the Taliban's interim government which is currently dominated by high-profile members of the insurgent group, including at least 14 members who are on the UN Security Council's terrorism blacklist.

Pakistan's Involvement In Afghanistan

It is believed that Pakistan enjoys clout over the Taliban and has played a key role in their peace talks with the US that resulted in the Doha agreement of 2020.

Pakistan’s involvement in the Afghanistan situation gained more attention as its powerful intelligence chief Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, in a surprise move, dashed to Kabul on September 4 while the Taliban struggled to finalise and install a government in Afghanistan.

A delegation of senior Pakistani officials led by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief held discussions with the Taliban leadership.

The ISI chief's trip was significant as it was the first high-level visit by a Pakistani official since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul.

The previous Afghanistan government led by President Ashraf Ghani often accused Pakistan of giving the Taliban military aid, an allegation denied by Islamabad.

Making rapid unexpected advances, the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan as it entered Kabul on August 15, two weeks before the complete withdrawal of US troops slated to conclude by the end of the month after a costly two-decade-long war. 

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country as the Taliban stood at the gates of Kabul seeking power transition.

Meanwhile, thousands of Afghan nationals and foreigners have also sought asylum in different nations to escape the ultra-conservative Taliban regime, resulting in a concerning humanitarian crisis.

(With Agency Inputs)