ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Saturday he had “initiated a dialogue" with the Taliban for an inclusive Afghan government to include representatives of the country's ethnic and religious minorities.
Khan said he took the initiative after his meetings with leaders of Afghanistan's neighbors and detailed discussions with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) meeting in Dushanbe this week, where Afghanistan has been at the top of the agenda.
“After meetings in Dushanbe with leaders of Afghanistan’s neighbors and especially a lengthy discussion with Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, I have initiated a dialogue with the Taliban for an inclusive Afghan govt to include Tajiks, Hazaras & Uzbeks” Khan said in the tweet.
“After 40 years of conflict, this inclusivity will ensure peace and a stable Afghanistan, which is in the interest not only of Afghanistan but the region as well,” he said in another post.
World powers have told the Taliban the key to peace and development is an inclusive government acceptable to all people of Afghanistan, including women and minorities. But an all-male interim cabinet announced earlier this month, saw no members of minority groups as key positions went to veteran players of the Taliban movement, which captured Kabul on August 15.
In his address at the SCO summit on Friday, Khan said the Taliban must fulfill their promises to the international community.
“For their part, the Taliban must fulfill the pledges made above all for inclusive political structure where all ethnic groups are represented,” Khan said. “This is vital for Afghanistan’s stability. Also, it is important to ensure respect for the rights of all Afghans, and ensure that Afghanistan is never again a safe haven for terrorists.”
