The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, as well as lawmakers from the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party and Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), have voiced full support for recognising the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
On Tuesday, the KP assembly held a debate on the Afghan issue, following an adjournment motion submitted by PPP member Ahmad Kundi seeking discussion on the situation across the border.
Malik Badshah Salih of the PPP demanded the recognition of the Taliban government in Afghanistan and urged the new rulers in Kabul to completely enforce Shariah in the country.
“The whole world will follow you (Afghan Taliban) if Shariah is implemented in letter and spirit,” he said.
The lawmaker said the Indian spy agency, Raw, had been defeated in Afghanistan after the formation of the Taliban government.
Housing Minister Dr Amjad Ali Khan urged the federal government to recognise and support the Taliban government. He said the Afghan people had welcomed the Taliban rule instead of opposing it.
“We should recognise the Taliban government and give them full support,” he said. “The Afghan Taliban are following the model of the Conquest of Makkah (Fateh Makkah) by pardoning all opponents.”
He said the previous Afghan government led by President Dr Ashraf Ghani was not elected and had been imposed on the people.
Dr Amjad urged the international community to restore humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan. He said the suspension of assistance might trigger an exodus from Afghanistan.
He also attacked nationalists for ‘advocating Lar-o-Bar Yaw Afghan’ (Pakhtuns of low and highlands are one Afghan).
“Yes, we are Pakhtuns, but we are Pakistanis, while Afghans have their own country,” he said, adding that those, who did not believe in the ideology of Pakistan should shift to Afghanistan.
MMA MPA Inayatullah Khan also endorsed the PPP member’s suggestion regarding the recognition of the new government in Kabul and asked the western countries to unfreeze assets of Afghanistan.
“The end of war will create endless opportunities for Pakistan,” he said.
He urged the federal government to reopen all 27 designated corridors with Afghanistan to facilitate movement of families on both sides of the border.
Independent MPA Mir Kalam and ANP MPA Nisar Khan Mohmand resisted recognition of Taliban rule.
“Some people love Sharia law for Afghanistan and democracy for Pakistan,” they said. Nisar Mohmand urged the government to help Pakistani students stranded in Afghanistan.
Ahmad Kundi criticized some federal ministers over their ‘irresponsible statements’ on the current situation in Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan, particularly KP, would suffer due to their statements.
