Islamabad: A Taliban envoy has been sent to Pakistani neighbors to be responsible for the Afghan embassy, two months after the Islamic group of Hardline seized power, Friday officials said.
Sardar Ahmad Khan Shokaib was appointed as the first secretary in Islamabad, while Taliban officials were also now in the consulate in Peshawar, Karachi and Quetta.
The new Taliban rulers have not been officially recognized by foreign governments, including Pakistan, which means Shokaib cannot take the title ambassador.
“These diplomats will take care of affairs at the embassy and in three consulates,” said a Taliban source to AFP.
“They will formally be responsible on Monday,” a source close to the Peshawar Consulate added.
The last Ambassador of the Afghan Embassy was withdrawn by former US-backed government a few months ago following alleged kidnapping his daughter at Leafy Islamabad.
A Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman said this step would allow the embassy to carry out consular functions, with the country who hosted millions of Afghan refugees.
“I understand they have made a similar promise at their embassies in several other countries,” said the spokesman.
Pakistan has long faced US charges playing double in Afghanistan and has historically have a close relationship with Taliban leadership.
The government of Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked the world to engage with the Taliban and provide economic support to the country that depend on assistance that has seen funds freezes by Western donors since takeover.
Taliban sent messengers to take over the embassy in Pakistan
