Wait and watch policy will see Afghanistan collapse: Pakistan’s National Security Adviser

Taliban fighters patrol a market in Kabul’s Old City, Afghanistan. Pic/AP/PTI

Pakistan's National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf has said that the ‘wait and watch' policy on recognising the Taliban regime in Afghanistan was flawed and could result in the economic collapse of the conflict-torn country.

The Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in mid-August, ousting the previous elected leadership which was backed by the West. The interim Cabinet announced by the Taliban consists of high-profile members of the insurgent group. Several world leaders have announced they would see whether the Taliban fulfils its promises to the international community on issues like an inclusive Afghan government and human rights before giving their regime diplomatic recognition.

"Wait and see (regarding Afghanistan's new set up) means collapse," Yusuf told the media on Wednesday, adding that a similar mistake was made in the 1990s. He also recalled that the Western leaders had acknowledged the mistake and pledged not to repeat it. Yusuf said the world in its own interest should talk directly to the Taliban on their concerns, including counterterrorism, human rights, inclusive government, or other issues.

Afghan nationals residing in India protest against Pakistan's alleged support to the Taliban. Pic/AFP

"If the world is interested in this conversation, it needs to happen directly with the new government. For influencing and moulding governance in the way the world wants, it should have a conversation with them. Without engagement that would not be possible," he said. He warned that Afghanistan could become a terrorist safe haven again as a consequence of abandoning it.

France announces death of IS leader in Greater Sahara

France killed the leader of Islamic State in the Greater Sahara because the group attacked French aid workers, African civilians and US troops, French officials said on Thursday, calling him "enemy No. 1" in protracted anti-terrorism efforts in the Sahel. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the death of Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi overnight. According to Macron's office, al-Sahrawi personally ordered the killing of six French aid workers and their Nigerien colleagues last year, and his group was behind a 2017 attack that killed US and Niger military personnel.

Over 6L Afghans displaced this year

More than 6,34,000 Afghans have been internally displaced by conflicts in 2021, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the war-torn nation said on Thursday. A total of 6,34,800 people had been verified as having been displaced by conflicts as of September 12, 2021, out of which 2,82,246 displaced people had received assistance, Xinhua news agency quoted the OCHA as saying in a report.

‘Ghani's exit ruined a political deal'

The US negotiator on Afghanistan has said that former President Ashraf Ghani's abrupt exit scuttled a deal for the Taliban to hold off entering Kabul and negotiate a political transition, The Guardian reported.

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