Afghan Taliban arrest officials who removed Pakistan's flag from aid truck

Published September 22, 2021
This image shows the Pakistan flag mounted on an aid truck carrying necessary food items. — Photo courtesy: Twitter
This image shows the Pakistan flag mounted on an aid truck carrying necessary food items. — Photo courtesy: Twitter

The Taliban have decided to take action against officials who removed Pakistan's flag from an aid truck that arrived in Afghanistan via the Torkham border carrying necessary food items.

On Sunday, Pakistan had donated food items — loaded in 17 container trucks — on humanitarian grounds to the newly-formed Taliban government in Afghanistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Pak-Afghan Cooperation Forum Chairman Habibullah Khan had said that the goodwill gesture from Pakistan was made at a time when the war-stricken and impoverished people of Afghanistan direly needed such assistance.

However, a video emerged on social media of Taliban officials removing a Pakistan flag attached to the side of a truck.

In the video, which shows normal citizens and Taliban fighters, people are heard saying to "rip" the flag. Loud cheers and chants are heard as the flag is removed while a Taliban fighter says it should be "burned".

In response to the video, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that the entire cabinet of the Islamic Emirate was "saddened" by the incident.

"Surely, this incident must have hurt the sentiments of our neighbouring country for which we apologise," he said, adding that the group wanted "good relations" with Pakistan.

He stated that the officials involved in the incident were arrested and their weapons had been seized. He said that they will be dealt with according to the law.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...
Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...