Pakistan will close border if Taliban comes to power : Qureshi. Image Courtesy – Outlook India
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan would close the border if the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan. At the same time, he also expressed fear that the withdrawal of US troops could lead to a resurgence of violence and anarchy in Afghanistan. The Pakistani foreign minister made the remarks at a weekly media briefing in Multan on Sunday.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan had already accepted 3.5 million Afghan refugees. Pakistan is unable to take more than that. Qureshi also said, “We can no longer accept Afghan refugees, we have to close the border. We must ensure the protection of our national interests.”
The Pakistani minister reiterated that Pakistan would continue its diplomatic efforts for peace in Afghanistan and they would welcome a democratically elected government in the country.
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After the withdrawal of Soviet troops in 1989, millions of Afghan citizens ran away to Pakistan due to sectarian clashes. The Taliban ruled Afghanistan until it was deposed by the US forces. The US military launched a military operation in Afghanistan in 2001 following the 9/11 attacks. Current US President Joe Biden announced the withdrawal of all troops from the country by September 11 this year, and it was announced almost 20 years later.
However, there has been widespread violence in Afghanistan in recent days despite the withdrawal of the US troops and the Afghan-Taliban peace talks were held in Doha, the capital of Qatar. In the last few weeks, many people from government and private organizations have lost their lives. The Taliban currently control parts of Afghanistan. If the peace talks succeed, the Talibans are expected to become part of the Afghan government again.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan told reporters that Pakistan would seal their border with Afganistan if the Taliban attempt to take over. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi admitted the statement a day after.
Shalini Gupta is a teacher at New Delhi with multifarious talents. She has a deep passion for reading, writing, drawing, sketching etc. simultaneously with her teaching job. She is currently writing for Bigumbrella also.
