In talks with the Taliban in Doha, Ambassador of India to Qatar, Deepak Mittal said that Afghanistan’s soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities and terrorism in any manner.
Expressing his views on Hum News programme ‘Breaking Point with Malick’, Sheikh Rashid said that Pakistan is a “custodian” of Taliban leaders and it has “taken care of them for long”.
“We are custodian of Taliban leaders. We have taken care of them for long. They got shelter, education and home in Pakistan. We have done everything for them,” the Pakistan interior minister said.
The interior minister’s statement comes after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on August 28 said that Islamabad would continue to play a constructive role to support Afghanistan and a new government will be formed in the war-weary nation within a few days.
“We expect that a consensus government will be formed in the coming days in Afghanistan, Qureshi was quoted as saying by Geo News.
Qureshi commented after anti-Pakistan protests were witnessed in many countries against Islamabad’s proxy role in assisting the Taliban.
“It is essential for the world community to stay engaged with Afghanistan to stabilise the situation and help the Afghan people economically and to continue providing humanitarian assistance,” Qureshi said during a telephonic conversation with United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres.
Meanwhile, Author Sergio Restelli said that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is the creator of Taliban. “Islamabad has played an important role in the formation of the Taliban, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is their creator and supporter,” Restelli reported on the InsideOver news website.
A possible axis of Pakistan and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan has become a cause for worry for India.
Notably, under India’s Presidency, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted a strong resolution demanding that the territory of Afghanistan not be used to threaten any country or shelter terrorists.
India and the Taliban also held a meeting in Qatar over safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded over there. Ambassador of India to Qatar, Deepak Mittal, held discussions with Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the head of the Taliban’s political office in Doha.
“Discussions focused on safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan. The travel of Afghan nationals, especially minorities, who wish to visit to India also came up,” the ministry of external affairs informed.