Taliban have hinted they’ll be reasonable in addressing concerns: Shringla
A member of the Taliban force stands guard at a Kabul street. Reuters
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 4
Both India and the US are closely watching Pakistan’s actions in Afghanistan, said Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla as ISI chief Lt Gen Faiz Hamid arrived in Kabul amid reports of heavy fighting in Panjshir valley and continued secrecy over government formation in Afghanistan.
Zabiullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesperson
Govt next week
Announcement on new government and cabinet will be made next week.
“Obviously, like us, they’re (the US) also watching carefully. We have to watch Pakistan’s actions with a fine tooth comb,” Shringla said on Saturday at the end of his visit to Washington. “The Taliban have indicated they would be reasonable in addressing New Delhi’s concerns,” he added in reference to an MEA team’s August 31 meeting with the Taliban Leadership Council’s Sher Mohammed Stanikzai in Doha.
Antony Blinken, US Secy of State
Hope Taliban will keep their word
The expectation is to see a government that makes good on commitments that the Taliban have made, particularly on freedom of travel, not allowing Afghanistan to be used as a launching ground for terrorism & upholding basic rights of people, including women & minorities.
“Our engagement has been limited. Whatever conversation we’ve had so far, the Taliban seem to indicate they will be reasonable in addressing India’s concerns,” Shringla said. “The situation is very fluid and you have to see whether the assurances that have been made publicly are actually maintained on the ground, and how things work out,” he explained, dispelling the impression that a wait and watch policy meant doing nothing. Government formation in Afghanistan remains a work-in-progress. There has been no public debate on its structure or constituents but for statements from Taliban leaders that Mullah Haibatullah and Mullah Baradar would hold the top two positions. The ISI chief’s visit is being seen against the backdrop of a stalemate in government formation. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid on Saturday said the formation of a new government had been put off to next week.
The Taliban sought to batten down resistance from the Panjshir Valley by moving heavy weaponry up the surrounding hills and is trying to enter Shotul district, the mouth of Panjshir Valley, where it has reportedly placed containers to restrict access. “We are doing what’s humanly possible with what we have. Pray for us,’’ said a social media handle of the National Resistance Front or Resistance 2.
In Kabul, women rights activists and journalists protested for the second day and the Taliban used force to disperse the crowd.
Celebratory fire kills 17
At least 17 persons were killed in celebratory gunfire in Kabul, news agencies said on Saturday, after Taliban sources said their fighters had seized control of Panjshir, the last province in Afghanistan holding out against the Islamist group.