ST. PETERSBURG (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2021) The interim government in Afghanistan appointed by the Taliban (terrorist organization, banned in Russia) should step up its efforts in fighting drug trafficking and terrorism, as well as ensure respect for human rights if it wants to keep governing the country, Mansoor Ahmad Khan, the Pakistani ambassador to Afghanistan, told Sputnik.
"To succeed, the government should effectively meet the threat of the drug trafficking and drug production, terrorism because whenever we see the instability in Afghanistan, the drug trafficking and drug production increase," Khan said.
The ambassador noted that, apart from dealing with domestic issues, both humanitarian and economic, the Taliban and the interim government face challenges with "interaction with the international community."
"Besides, Afghanistan needs to realize its potential through regional connectivity. This is a very comprehensive agenda which requires the participation of all segments of the society and all the political spectrum, this will require an attendance to human rights," the diplomat added.
At the same time, Khan stressed that Pakistan wants to "remain very open" for interactions with Afghan politicians and the new government in order to assist with putting an end to almost four decades of conflict in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan had suffered more than 20 years of conflict before the Taliban took over the country in mid-August and the US-led foreign troops withdrew before the fall. The newly announced interim Taliban government is not inclusive of women or people not affiliated with the Islamist movement.
