ISLAMABAD – The Taliban have sent their diplomatic staff to Pakistan inorder to make Afghanistan’s embassy in Islamabad and consulates in othercities functional.
The Foreign Office has confirmed the development to the media. The movewill restore activities at the embassy after two months of the Talibancontrol in Afghanistan.
In mid-August, the Taliban toppled former president Ashraf Ghani’sgovernment, regaining control of the country after two decades of war withUS-led forces.
Since then, the new rulers in Afghanistan are facing looming humanitariancrisis due to shortage of food and funds.
Reports said that the Taliban have appointed Mohammad Shokaib as firstsecretary or charge d’affaires at the embassy in Islamabad. He will nothold the formal title of ambassador as the Pakistani government has yet torecognize the Taliban government.
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“With regard to appointment of new staff in the Afghan Embassy, this is anadministrative matter and is meant to enable the embassy to perform itsfunctions, primarily the consular functions, as you are aware there aremillions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and there are visa issues as well,”a spokesperson for the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.
“So, this has to be seen in that context. I understand they have madesimilar appointments in their embassies in some other countries,” Arab Newsreported.
