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Dominic Raab said there had been widespread surprise, including among the Taliban, at the speed at which the group had achieved military victory in Afghanistan, but the UK now wanted direct communication with the militants.
Raab was speaking after meeting with officials in Pakistan, the country with the most influence over the Taliban. It was his first visit to Islamabad as foreign minister, and follows criticism that he did not engage with the Pakistani foreign policy elite in the six months leading up to the break-up. of the crisis.
He told reporters: ‘The takeover, I think it’s fair to say, was faster than expected, not just UK or NATO allies but I was talking with our friends here. And I suspect the Taliban and ordinary Afghans have been taken by surprise. I think there was a common general surprise at how quickly the consolidation of power occurred.
His words apparently contradicted those of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who said on Thursday that it had been “clear for many months” that the situation in Afghanistan could change very quickly. Johnson also said the loss of air coverage was critical to the collapse, remarks that may not be well received in Washington.
One of the goals of Raab’s visit is to facilitate safe passage for those still trying to leave Afghanistan and to urge the Taliban not to revert to the repressive and divisive policies that have marked their rule over the years. 1990.
After Raab defined a conditions-based approach to dealing with the Taliban, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said: “Some have a choice to get up and go, but we don’t. We are neighbors [and] we have to coexist. Geography therefore binds us to our approach [to the Taliban] must be somewhat different [and] realistic. “Pakistan’s position was that it” had no favorites “in Afghanistan, he said.
Qureshi praised the positive signals coming from the Taliban leadership regarding a general amnesty to all Afghans, protection of women’s rights and freedom of expression. He stressed that Pakistan cannot take responsibility for the actions of the Taliban, stressing that its role is to facilitate the talks and not as a guarantor.
Raab was also due to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Raab could also travel to the border with other British officials to examine the refugee crisis. MI6 chief Richard Moore also traveled to Islamabad to meet with Bajwa last week.
Pakistan claims its border with Afghanistan is secure and denies claims it was playing a double game in rescuing the Taliban. Former US National Security Advisor RH McMaster this week told the Policy Exchange think tank, “We should stop pretending that Pakistan is a partner. Pakistan has acted as an enemy nation against us by continuing to use jihadist terrorist organizations as part of its foreign policy. He said the country should be on the road to becoming a pariah state with only one sponsor state, China.
Pakistan’s main demand in talks with Raab was to be removed from a list of sanctions imposed by the Financial Action Task Force for failing to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, which destroyed the economy. He also wants to be removed from the red list of countries that require anyone traveling from Pakistan to Britain to self-quarantine in a hotel upon arrival. Raab said no one wanted Pakistan removed from the red list more than him.
The Foreign Office has also confirmed details of the use of a £ 30million British aid package for Afghanistan. It is expected that £ 10million will be immediately made available to humanitarian organizations, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to deliver supplies to the Afghan borders.
Countries expected to experience a significant increase in refugee numbers will also receive £ 20million to help deal with new arrivals and to provide essential services and supplies.
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