Afghan ‘diplomats’ take charge in Pakistan

Published October 30, 2021
Policemen ride past the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad. — AFP/File
Policemen ride past the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad. — AFP/File

ISLAMABAD: The Taliban-appointed ‘diplomats’ have taken charge of the Afghan embassy and consulates in Pakistan, according to officials familiar with the development.

Sardar Muhammad Shokaib has started working as the first secretary in the Afghan embassy in Islamabad.

Hafiz Mohibullah, Mullah Ghulam Rasool and Mullah Muhammad Abbas have been assigned to the Peshawar, Quetta, and Karachi consulates of Afghanistan.

Shokaib would effectively be the Afghan charge d’affaires in Islamabad.

FO spokesperson points to refugees, visa issues

The Afghan embassy in Islamabad, it may be recalled, has been without an ambassador since July when the last envoy under the previous regime Najibullah Alikhil left because of alleged abduction of his daughter Silsila Alikhil and the ensuing controversy.

According to Voice of America, Taliban members who know Shokaib say he is an ethnic Pashtun from Zabul province and has served in the Information and Cultural Department in southern Kandahar and was associated with a Taliban magazine. He once worked as the Taliban spokesman under the name of Qari Yousaf Ahmadi and was arrested in Pakistan and later lived in Peshawar for several years.

Meanwhile, officials posted to the consulates would function as the consul general.

Although Pakistan does not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government, but it still issued visas to the appointed ‘diplomats’.

“With regard to appointment of new staff in the Afghan Embassy, this is an administrative matter and is meant to enable the Embassy to perform its functions, primarily the consular functions as you are aware there are millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and there are visa issues as well,” Foreign Office spokesman Asim Iftikhar said.

Another official, meanwhile, contended that facilitating issuance of visas does not mean recognition.

Reuters quoted a senior Taliban leader as having said: “We understand that Pakistan has not yet recognised us as a legitimate government but we made these arrangements for public facilitations.”

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Race against time
Updated 09 Feb, 2025

Race against time

While some bright spots emerged at Breathe Pakistan moot, we must streamline our climate governance.
Open door
09 Feb, 2025

Open door

THE door is still open for talks, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has reminded the PTI. What matters, however,...
Football suspension
09 Feb, 2025

Football suspension

ONCE again, Pakistan has been ousted from the global football family. FIFA recently suspended the Pakistan Football...
A year later
Updated 08 Feb, 2025

A year later

A war of egos has been fought between a handful of individuals at the cost of the well-being of millions of ordinary Pakistanis.
Wheat decision
08 Feb, 2025

Wheat decision

THE federal decision to stop setting the minimum support price for wheat and cease the staple’s procurement...
Dhanmondi attack
08 Feb, 2025

Dhanmondi attack

HISTORY has shown that unless states deliver development and equal rights to all, disenfranchised people can target...