Need for an all-inclusive govt stressed: ISI chief visits Kabul to buoy up struggling Taliban

ISLAMABAD: As the Taliban are set to announce their government anytime soon, the Director-General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lt General Faiz Hameed visited Kabul on Saturday.

Well-placed sources told Business Recorder that the ISI chief along with a delegation, landed in Kabul, on Saturday morning, on the invitation of Taliban Shura to discuss the prevailing situation, trade, and myriad other issues in the war-ravaged country.

The surprised “open” visit of the ISI chief was flashed on television screens soon after one of his photographs holding a cup of tea along with an all-smile Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan at the lounge of Kabul’s Serena Hotel went viral on the social media.

The visit took place at a time when Taliban are all set to announce their future government amid demands from Pakistan and the international community to ensure formation of an inclusive government, having representation of all ethnic groups.

Talking informally to journalists in Kabul, Lt General Hameed said that he is in Afghanistan to get briefing from Ambassador Khan about the latest situation.

Pakistani envoy, Afghan Taliban discuss way forward

“We have worked for peace and stability in Afghanistan and we will continue working for lasting peace in the region. There is nothing to be worried about,” the ISI chief told reporters.

We have worked for peace and stability in Afghanistan and we will continue working for lasting peace in the region. There is nothing to be worried about: ISI chief

The sources said that the visit was aimed at discussing the overall security situation in Afghanistan as well as evacuation process and the situation on Pakistan-Afghanistan border and exchange of views with the Taliban leadership to ensure that spoilers and terrorist organisations do not take advantage of the situation.

The issue of pending requests from countries and international organisations for repatriation/transit through Pakistan was also on the ISI chief’s agenda, and also the need to determine the mechanism through which Pakistan could allow these, in coordination with the ground authorities in Afghanistan.

Another important point of the agenda, according to the sources, was discussion on border management, especially for Afghans who cross over on a daily basis as a routine matter and then return to their country.

“Pakistan is pursuing its own interest and there is much more which need to be done. India has lost its so-called influence in Afghanistan, which it had gained, while being in Afghanistan over the years,” said a source at the Defence Ministry.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021