Pakistan says Afghan soil should not be used by ‘terrorist’ groups against any country

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan convened a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) today, Monday, where the government called on all parties in Afghanistan to ensure that Afghan soil was not used by militants against any country.
The meeting comes a day after Taliban insurgents took over the Afghanistan capital without a fight. Just last week, a US intelligence estimate said Kabul could hold out for at least three months.
“The NSC noted positively that major violence had been averted thus far and called on all parties in Afghanistan to respect the rule of law, protect fundamental human rights of all Afghans, and ensure that Afghan soil is not used by any terrorist organization/group against any country,” a statement from the PM Office said.
“Participants reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to an inclusive political settlement as the way forward representing all Afghan ethnic groups. It was reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community and all Afghan stakeholders to facilitate an inclusive political settlement in the country. It was stressed that the principle of non-interference in Afghanistan must be adhered to.”
PM Khan directed that all possible facilities be made available to repatriate Pakistanis, diplomats, journalists and the staff of international organizations seeking to leave Afghanistan.
“The Prime Minister lauded the ongoing efforts of the Pakistan embassy in Kabul and the state machinery in this regard,” the statement said.
Earlier on Sunday, Taliban insurgents captured the eastern city of Jalalabad without a fight, giving them control of one of the main highways into landlocked Afghanistan. They also took over the nearby Torkham border post with Pakistan, leaving Kabul airport the only way out of Afghanistan, which is still in government hands.
The capture of Jalalabad followed the Taliban’s seizure of the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif late on Saturday, also with little fighting.
After US-led forces withdrew the bulk of the their remaining troops in the last month, the Taliban campaign accelerated as the Afghan military’s defenses appeared to collapse.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani also fled the country on Sunday, saying he had left to avoid bloodshed.
In a post on his Facebook page, Ghani said he had faced a difficult decision, with the fate of millions of Kabul residents and the security of the city at stake after 20 years of war in which countless had already been killed.
“To avoid bloodshed, I thought it would be better to leave,” he said in his first comments since quitting the presidential palace and flying out of the country.
He added that the Taliban insurgents, who later entered the presidential palace in Kabul, now faced a historic test.
“The Taliban won victory in the judgment of sword and gun and they have the responsibility to protect the honor, prosperity and self-respect of our compatriots,” he said.
He did not disclose details of his current location.

Pakistan says Afghan soil should not be used by ‘terrorist’ groups against any country