Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the Taliban of Afghanistan will not negotiate till Ashraf Ghani is the president of Afghanistan. While speaking to international journalists, the prime minister recounted his encounter with a Taliban team that had landed in Pakistan three months ago. He said that he tried to convince the Taliban for a peace settlement, however, the Taliban did not agree and said that they will not talk to the government till Ashraf Ghani is the President.
Imran Khan said that he feels as if the Afghan government is trying for the US government to intervene on its behalf, although the Taliban does not want any American military on its soil.
In addition, he stated that the US feels as if Pakistan should resolve its 20-year-old Afghan conflict.
Taliban can secure Kabul in 90 days
Meanwhile, according to a US defense official citing intelligence sources, Taliban forces could isolate Afghanistan’s capital in 30 days and take control in 90 days.
The Taliban now control about 65 percent of Afghanistan and have taken over nearly 11 provincial capitals. Faizabad, the capital of the north-eastern province of Badakhshan, became the Taliban’s eighth provincial capital on Wednesday (11th August).
All entrances to the city, which is in a valley surrounded by mountains, were clogged with residents fleeing the ongoing conflict between Afghan troops and Taliban soldiers. Foreign governments are attempting to ensure that their personnel leaves Kabul as soon as possible. According to one source, multinational airlines were also asked to evacuate their employees.
A provincial council member from Badakhshan, Jawad Mujadidi, said before starting an onslaught on Tuesday, the Taliban had besieged Faizabad. He said that after the fall of Faizabad, the Taliban is in control of the whole northeast.
Fawad Chaudhry lashes out at Afghan government
Fawad Chaudhry, Federal Minister for Information, on Wednesday (11 August) lashed out on the Afghan military and leadership questioning where did the allocated money for the building up of the Afghan Army go? People must be asking where the $2 trillion went, Chaudhry remarked.
