Will ‘resolve’ Pakistan’s concerns, Taliban say after announcing Panjshir victory

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks during a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, on September 6, 2021. (AP)

• There is growing concern among Pakistani officials about security in neighboring Afghanistan
• Taliban say keen for Afghanistan to be part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

ISLAMABAD: Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said on Monday a new Afghan government led by the insurgent group would resolve all issues of concern to Pakistan, local media reported. 
There is growing fear among Pakistani officials about security in neighboring Afghanistan, as the Taliban tries to form a government and stabilize the country following the departure of US and other foreign forces.
Islamabad is particularly worried about militant fighters from a separate, Pakistani Taliban group crossing from Afghanistan and launching lethal attacks on its territory. Thousands of Pakistanis have been killed in militant violence in the last two decades.
At least three Pakistani paramilitary soldiers were killed and 20 wounded in a suicide attack in the southwest last Sunday, part of a spike in attacks on security forces in recent weeks as Afghanistan fell to the Taliban.
The Pakistani Taliban, many of whose leaders and foot soldiers are believed to live in Afghanistan, claimed responsibility for the attack.
“Pakistan’s concerns as a neighboring country are valid,” Mujahid was quoted by Geo News as saying at a press conference. “Afghanistan’s land will not be used against any country, including Pakistan,” he added. 
Mujahid said Afghanistan wanted to engage in economic activity with other nations and was keen to be part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which has seen Beijing pledge over $60 billion for energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan, central to China’s wider Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to develop land and sea trade routes in Asia and beyond.
Speaking about a future political setup, Mujahid said an “interim” system of government would first be announced in Afghanistan to allow for changes.
“Final decisions have been taken, we are now working on technical issues,” he said. “We will announce the new government as soon as the technical issues are resolved.”
The Taliban have reportedly invited leaders from Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, China, Russia and Qatar to attend the ceremony when the group announces its government. 
A key issue for the Taliban is the reopening of the airport in Kabul, which was the scene of a massive US-led evacuation plan that ended last week.
Qatar has been working with the Taliban on getting the airport back up and running, and Mujahid said “serious efforts” were under way to restore operations.
“Technical teams from Qatar, Turkey and UAE are working hard to repair the equipment,” he said, adding that international flights will resume “soon.”
He said that “Afghanistan has the right to be recognized ... The international community should open their embassies in Kabul.”