Pakistan will assist Taliban to form govt in Af: Gen Bajwa to Raab

Islamabad, September 4

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday told British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab that Islamabad would “assist” the Taliban to form an inclusive administration in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Gen Bajwa, in his meeting with Raab here, discussed issues of mutual interest, regional security and the current situation in Afghanistan.

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The Pakistan Observer reported that Gen Bajwa said in the meeting that Pakistan would “continue to fight for peace and stability in Afghanistan, as well as assist the formation of an inclusive administration”.

Gen. Bajwa’s remarks came as Pakistan’s powerful intelligence chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed on Saturday dashed to Kabul amid the Taliban struggling to finalise and install an inclusive government in Afghanistan that would be acceptable to the international community.

The Taliban have postponed the formation of a new government in Afghanistan for next week as the insurgent group struggles to give shape to a broad-based and inclusive administration acceptable to the international community.

This is the second time that the Taliban have delayed the government formation. Initially, the group was expected to announce the formation of the new government led by its co-founder Mulla Abdul Ghani Baradar on Friday.

British Foreign Secretary Raab arrived in Pakistan on Thursday to hold talks with the country’s top leadership.

“Both sides agree to continue to seek ways of co-operation in the areas of defence, training and counter-terrorism,” the report said.

Raab said: “The basis for the UK-Pakistan relationship is very strong and the UK has the desire to take it to the next level. We also have a very clear and shared interest in the future of Afghanistan. We will judge the Taliban by their actions, not their words.” — PTI

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