ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Wednesday Prime Minister Imran Khan and the foreign ministry would decide on whether Islamabad would recognize a new Taliban government in Afghanistan, after a government collapse last week and the takeover of the capital by the insurgent group.
Rashid’s statement is a departure from earlier comments by Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain in which he said Islamabad would consult regional and international powers before making a decision on recognizing Taliban rule.
“Whether or not to accept the Taliban government or not, that is a decision of Imran Khan and the foreign ministry,” Ahmed said at a press conference.
The information minister had said earlier in the week a decision on recognizing the Taliban would come after “consultation of regional and international powers.”
“We don’t want to take a unilateral decision on that, we are in touch with our regional and international friends and we will decide accordingly,” Hussain said.
In separate comments, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the world was contacting Pakistan to help reach a settlement in Afghanistan and he would soon be visiting Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and Iran in this regard.
“I will discuss the prevailing situation in Afghanistan with its neighboring countries and consult them for a peaceful and permanent solution to the Afghan issue, besides taking them into confidence,” Qureshi said. “We want a set-up [in Afghanistan] that should be acceptable to the world.”
Pakistani PM, foreign minister to decide on recognizing Taliban government — minister
https://arab.news/25w42
Pakistani PM, foreign minister to decide on recognizing Taliban government — minister
- Information minister had earlier said Islamabad would consult regional and international powers before making a decision
- Foreign Minister to soon visit Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and Iran to consult on resolution of Afghan crisis
Pakistan U19 to open tri-series against Afghanistan on Saturday in Zimbabwe
- Pakistan enter the tournament as U19 Asia Cup champions after beating India by 191 runs in Dubai
- The tri-series is seen as key preparation for next month’s U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team will begin their tri-series campaign against Afghanistan on Saturday in Harare, using the tournament as a key preparation for next month’s ICC Men’s U19 World Cup co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pakistan, the reigning ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup champions, are competing in the 50-over tri-series alongside Afghanistan and hosts Zimbabwe, with each team playing the others twice before the top two advance to the final on Jan. 6.
Pakistan won the eight-team Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this month, beating India by 191 runs in the final, and will play a minimum of four matches in the tri-series, starting at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
“The Asia Cup was a good win for us and the players showed great morale and intensity,” Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf said, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “The tri-series is very important for the players and will help us find the right combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup.”
Pakistan will face Zimbabwe on Dec. 29 before meeting Afghanistan again on Jan. 2, followed by a second match against the hosts on Jan. 4. Matches will be played across venues in Harare, including Harare Sports Club, Prince Edward School and Sunrise Sports Club.
The tri-series is being seen as an important warm-up ahead of the U19 World Cup, which will be held from Jan. 15 to Feb. 6. Pakistan are placed in Group C and will play all their group-stage matches in Harare.
“The conditions here are similar and will be beneficial for our World Cup preparations,” Yousaf said. “Both teams in the tournament are strong and competitive and we respect every opposition as we look forward to a competitive event.”
Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against England on Jan. 16, followed by matches against Scotland and Zimbabwe, with the Super Six stage beginning on Jan. 25 and the final scheduled for Feb. 6 at Harare Sports Club.
