Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi paid a visit to Kabul to meet with representatives of the Taliban. He was accompanied by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Faiz Hameed.
Qureshi and Hameed met with the group’s acting Prime Minister, Hasan Akhund. A statement by the Pakistani Foreign Office said, “The talks between the two sides will cover the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and focus on ways and means to deepen cooperation in diverse areas.” The Taliban’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, celebrated the meeting as a “very good interaction.” Further, he said, “We are very hopeful that all our trade issues will be resolved very soon, borders will open again.”
According to Qureshi, the discussions centred around advising the group on how to gain international recognition. He said that he advised the group to work towards a more inclusive government. Further, he said that the group would need to respect the rights and freedoms of women, specifically their right to education. Moreover, to secure international recognition, representatives of the Taliban were advised to act against terrorist organisations and ensure that Afghan soil is not used as a hub for terrorist activities. Addressing a press conference on his return to Pakistan, Qureshi said, “If they show fair progress on these issues, the stage for recognition would become easier for them.” To this end, he said that the “environment is getting better” for international recognition.
Despite Qureshi’s reassurances, the international community remains sceptical of recognising the Taliban and of its commitment to confronting terrorism and ensuring the protection of human rights and basic freedoms. Just recently, the group was brought under the scanner after armed fighters attacked journalists who were covering a women’s rights protest.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is seeking to address minor tensions that have emerged in its relations with the group since the departure of foreign troops. The main issue of contention has been air links and freight crossing across their common borders, as Pakistan has been restricting the entry of Afghans due to security concerns. To address this issue, Qureshi said that the two sides would work towards a more liberal system to allow movement across borders.
Pakistan and the Taliban have long enjoyed close relations. In the 1990s, Pakistan was one of the three countries that officially recognised the group’s regime. Pakistan was also instrumental in bringing the group to the negotiation table in Doha, which resulted in the peace deal with the United States.
Pakistani FM Qureshi Schools Taliban on Gaining International Recognition
During a meeting with the Taliban in Kabul, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that working on human rights was critical for the group to secure international recognition.
October 22, 2021
SOURCE: DECCAN HERALD