World community critical of the US, NATO over hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP): The hasty withdrawal of the US troops and plunging of the landlocked country into chaos has drawn the ire of international community against the United States of America and NATO. The lightning takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban has took the world by surprise leading to strong reactions from leading politicians and… Continue reading World community critical of the US, NATO over hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan

US top diplomat Blinken discusses Afghanistan with Pakistani FM

WASHINGTON, Aug 17 (APP): US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on Monday with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on the situation in Afghanistan. State Department spokesperson Ned Price, who told reporters about the phone call at his news briefing, did not give any further details of the phone call. “Secretary of State Antony… Continue reading US top diplomat Blinken discusses Afghanistan with Pakistani FM

Pakistan consistently plays constructive role in Afghanistan, leads humanitarian efforts: FM

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi - File Photo

ISLAMABAD, Aug 16 (APP): Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Monday said that Pakistan always demonstrated a constructive role in Afghanistan which included its efforts in facilitating an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process besides, many other economic and humanitarian efforts. “Our mission in Kabul is working tirelessly to issue visas, to evacuate diplomats, NGO workers,… Continue reading Pakistan consistently plays constructive role in Afghanistan, leads humanitarian efforts: FM

Pakistan slams denial again by India’s presidency of UNSC to address meeting on Afghanistan; urges ‘inclusive’ Afghan govt

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 16 (APP): A top Pakistani diplomat Monday denounced India, which as President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), again blocked Pakistan from participating in the 15-member Council’s meeting on Afghanistan, saying Pakistan has a vital stake in peace and stability of the war-torn country where the Taliban have now taken control… Continue reading Pakistan slams denial again by India’s presidency of UNSC to address meeting on Afghanistan; urges ‘inclusive’ Afghan govt

Pakistan committed to an inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan: NSC

ISLAMABAD, Aug 16 (APP): The National Security Committee (NSC) on Monday reiterated that Pakistan remained committed to an inclusive political settlement as the way forward representing all Afghan ethnic groups. The NSC meeting held here to deliberate on the emerging situation in Afghanistan was chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan and attended by senior cabinet… Continue reading Pakistan committed to an inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan: NSC

Uneasy calm in Afghanistan as Taliban consolidate control

Taliban doing security duty in Kabul - Image courtesy al-Jazeera

By Shafek Koreshe ISLAMABAD, Aug 16 (APP): An uneasy calm spread across Afghanistan, a day after the fall of Kabul, the Taliban consolidated their hold, appointed officials at key positions, confiscated weapons from civilians and assued diplomats and people of full security. Zabihullah Mujahid Spokesman of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in a message assured diplomatic… Continue reading Uneasy calm in Afghanistan as Taliban consolidate control

CJP thanks Pakistan for safe evacuation of foreign media correspondents from Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Aug 16 (APP):Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CJP) Asia Programme Coordinator, Steven Butler on Monday telephoned Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain and thanked Pakistan for its cooperation in safe evacuation of foreign journalists from Afghanistan. The minister said that Pakistan supported freedom of expression all over the world and protection of all… Continue reading CJP thanks Pakistan for safe evacuation of foreign media correspondents from Afghanistan

UNSC to hold emergency meeting on Afghanistan

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 15 (APP): The U.N. Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the situation arising from the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul, it was announced Sunday. The 15-nation Council’s meeting has been requested by Estonia and Norway. India holds the presidency of the Security Council for the month of August.… Continue reading UNSC to hold emergency meeting on Afghanistan

US secretary of state grilled on TV over Talibans’ takeover of Afghanistan

NEW YORK , Aug 15 (APP):US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Sunday faced grilling during an interview with an American television network on Sunday over Taliban’s dramatic takeover of Afghanistan, with its anchor pointedly asking Blinken, “How did President (Joe) Biden get this so wrong?” Appearing on CNN’s news programme “State of the Union,” Blinken… Continue reading US secretary of state grilled on TV over Talibans’ takeover of Afghanistan

Taliban take over border crossings with Pakistan; Cargo trucks allowed to cross

ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): As Taliban blitzkreg towards Kabul headed towards its logical conclusion, the border crossings of Afghanistan with neighbouring countries also fell into their control, and local commanders took over the administrative affairs. The change of hands at the borders came as reports came of Ashraf Ghani’s exit from Kabul via a chartered… Continue reading Taliban take over border crossings with Pakistan; Cargo trucks allowed to cross

Alvi, Erdogan discuss evolving situation in Afghanistan

President-Erdogan File photo

ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP):Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Sunday hosted President Dr Arif Alvi in Vahdettin Mansion in Istanbul wherein both sides held detailed discussions on issues pertaining to the evolving situation in Afghanistan. The presidents were also accompanied by Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan and Pakistan’s First Lady Samina Alvi, a President House press… Continue reading Alvi, Erdogan discuss evolving situation in Afghanistan

Pak, international community on same page for peaceful, negotiated settlement in Afghanistan: FM Qureshi

MULTAN, Aug 15 (APP): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Hussain Qureshi here on Sunday said that Pakistan and the international community were on same page and wanted solution of Afghanistan’s conflict through a negotiated political settlement. During a press conference, the Foreign Minister stated that Afghan leadership should sit together and resolve the conflict in a… Continue reading Pak, international community on same page for peaceful, negotiated settlement in Afghanistan: FM Qureshi

Extending assistance for consular work, flights amidst unfolding Afghanistan situation: FO

File Photo

ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): The Foreign Office Spokesperson Sunday said that Pakistan was closely following the unfolding situation in Afghanistan and was extending assistance to facilitate visa or arrival of diplomatic community, media and others. Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said in a statement that Pakistan embassy in Kabul was extending necessary assistance to Pakistanis, Afghan… Continue reading Extending assistance for consular work, flights amidst unfolding Afghanistan situation: FO

Biden authorizes 5,000 troops to Afghanistan for ‘orderly, safe withdrawal’

WASHINGTON, Aug 15 (APP): President Joe Biden has authorized the deployment of around 5,000 US troops to Afghanistan to ensure an “orderly and safe reduction” as the Taliban increasingly gain ground across the country. The White House made the announcement on Saturday night shortly after it was announced that the Taliban fighters had captured Mazar-e-Sharif,… Continue reading Biden authorizes 5,000 troops to Afghanistan for ‘orderly, safe withdrawal’

Afghan leadership needs to focus on peace process: Dr Moeed

ISLAMABAD, Aug 13 (APP): National Security Adviser (NSA) to the Prime Minister Dr Moeed Yusuf on Friday said the Afghan political leadership should focus on political settlement of Afghanistan issue, rather then trying hands at Twitter trends. Moeed Yusuf, in his interview to Cable News Network (CNN) programme “Connect the World” hosted by Becky Anderson,… Continue reading Afghan leadership needs to focus on peace process: Dr Moeed

U.S. deploying 3,000 troops to Afghanistan to evacuate embassy staff: Pentagon

WASHINGTON, Aug 12 (APP): The United States is deploying 3,000 troops to Afghanistan on a “narrow-defined temporary” mission to to facilitate the drawdown of the American Embassy in Kabul to a “core diplomatic presence,” as Taliban militants rapidly advance toward the Afghan capital, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby announced Thursday. The troops will deploy to Hamid… Continue reading U.S. deploying 3,000 troops to Afghanistan to evacuate embassy staff: Pentagon

US urges Taliban to spare its embassy as fighting nears Kabul

NEW YORK, Aug 12 (APP):The United States is trying to secure assurances from the Taliban that they will not attack the American Embassy in Kabul if the group takes the capital, The New York Times reported Thursday. The effort, led by Zalmay Khalilzad, the chief American envoy in talks with the Taliban, seeks to stave… Continue reading US urges Taliban to spare its embassy as fighting nears Kabul

India, Afghanistan – a source of sustained disinformation campaign against Pakistan

By Shafek Koreshe ISLAMABAD, Aug 11 (APP): A sustained disinformation and propaganda campaign by India and Afghanistan to sabotage the Afghan peace process and target Pakistan, has been uncovered, showing the extent of the fifth generation warfare. According to data analytics conducted by the G5iO – a think tank studying the cyber world for data… Continue reading India, Afghanistan – a source of sustained disinformation campaign against Pakistan

Success of Taliban blitz adds urgency to restart long-stalled-talks

Baghlan Province falls to Taliban- Image Courtesy TRT

KABUL, Aug 11 (APP): Taliban fighters took control of another city in northern Afghanistan on Wednesday adding urgency to restart long-stall-talks to end the fighting and move Afghanistan towards an inclusive interim administration, foreign news agencies reported. Faizabad was the eighth provincial capital to fall to the insurgents in six days as U.S.-led foreign forces… Continue reading Success of Taliban blitz adds urgency to restart long-stalled-talks

India rushes to evacuate personnel from Kabul, Kandahar, as Taliban advances continue

ISLAMABAD, July 11 (APP): With the rapid advance of the Taliban towards the capital Kabul and the failure of the Indian government to find a sweet spot with them, the Narendra Modi regime has been left with little option but to order an evacuation of its staff from Afghanistan. A high-level security official confirmed news… Continue reading India rushes to evacuate personnel from Kabul, Kandahar, as Taliban advances continue

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