We are not answerable to Taliban, says Afghan envoy

Vikramdeep Johal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 10

Almost five months after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, international recognition continues to elude their government. Even as the war-torn country is reeling under a social, political and economic crisis, the 45-odd Afghan embassies and 20 consulates around the world have steadfastly refused to kowtow to the Taliban despite being deprived of funds and pushed to the brink.

Blames Pak for Afghanistan’s woes

The Pakistani establishment has been acting as an evil force. Its leadership has failed to behave reasonably and responsibly, imperilling peace in the subcontinent and beyond. Farid Mamundzay, afghan envoy to india

“We are not answerable to the Taliban. Our job is to keep helping students and other Afghan nationals hit hard by the upheaval. We are hopeful that an inclusive government that represents the people of Afghanistan will be formed sooner or later,” says Farid Mamundzay, who continues to function as the Afghan envoy to India, even though the Ashraf Ghani dispensation that had appointed him collapsed in August last year.

Mamundzay, who is on a week-long trip to Punjab and other parts of the region, says the Taliban would have to respect democratic values and mend their ways to stand any chance of being part of a representative government, which holds the key to peace and stability in Afghanistan. “The Taliban should realise that it’s only legitimacy at home that can pave the way for legitimacy in the global arena,” he asserts.

The envoy minces no words in blaming Pakistan for Afghanistan’s present woes. “The Pakistani establishment has been acting as an evil force. Its leadership has failed to behave reasonably and responsibly, imperilling peace in the subcontinent and beyond,” he says. It’s at the Afghan embassy in Islamabad that the Taliban have managed to get their hand-picked diplomats posted.

Lauding India for providing aid to Afghanistan in the form of life-saving medicines and Covid vaccines, Mamundzay laments that Pakistan has been dragging its feet on land transit for New Delhi’s 50,000-tonne wheat consignment meant for Kabul.

“Foodgrain shortage has acquired alarming proportions in Afghanistan. Pakistan should understand the gravity of the situation and refrain from politicising this humanitarian issue,” he adds.