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U.S. Should Have Gradual, Responsible Withdrawal from Afghanistan: Russian Embassy
The Russian Embassy in Kabul says Moscow is not sure that the upcoming U.S.-Taliban meeting in Qatar would finalize a timeline for withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.
The U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban delegation is expected to hold another of round talks in the Qatari capital Doha, on February 25 and possibly discuss on a mechanism for withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan.
Speaking to Ariana News on Friday, the Russian deputy ambassador to Afghanistan Albert Khorev said that he is not sure that the Doha meeting would finalize a mechanism for U.S. pullout from Afghanistan.
“I am not sure, because the talks between the United States and the Taliban are going slowly and its main and major outcomes yet to be revealed,” Khorev said.
However, the Russian diplomat said that the United States should gradually and responsibly withdraw from Afghanistan.
The U.S. officials have said President Donald Trump wants to bring home about half of the 14,000 American troops from Afghanistan.
The Afghan government which sent a letter President Donald Trump last month and offered him reduced costs for keeping U.S. troops in Afghanistan assured that the United States won’t withdraw abruptly and without any consent with Kabul.
Nasir Ahmad Andesha, the Deputy Foreign Minister said that a legal framework entitled Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) in place between the United States and Afghanistan and that any decision would be taken in coordination with the Afghan government.
Pakistan says communities living along the Afghanistan-Pakistan Durand Line want peace and stability, despite ongoing security concerns in the region.
Speaking during a weekly media briefing, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said there are no major issues between the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan, adding that residents on both sides of the Durand Line want peaceful relations and greater regional stability.
However, Andrabi claimed that terrorism originating from Afghan territory continues to undermine peace efforts.
He said Islamabad believes militant activity crossing from Afghanistan remains a significant obstacle to improving regional security and bilateral ties.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has repeatedly rejected such allegations, maintaining that no militant group is allowed to use Afghan soil to threaten neighboring countries.
Andrabi also said Pakistan remains diplomatically engaged on regional matters involving Afghanistan, Iran, India, and Somalia, stressing that dialogue and diplomacy remain Islamabad’s preferred means of resolving disputes.
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Afghanistan-Gambia ties discussed during Doha meeting
Both sides also exchanged views on strengthening diplomatic engagement and exploring future economic cooperation.
Suhail Shaheen, head of the Islamic Emirate’s embassy in Doha, has met with Omar Jah, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of The Gambia to Qatar, to discuss bilateral relations and areas of mutual interest.
According to a statement from the Afghan embassy in Doha, Jah also oversees Gambian diplomatic affairs related to Afghanistan.
The meeting focused on Afghanistan-Gambia relations, the current security situation in Afghanistan, and potential investment opportunities in the country.
Both sides also exchanged views on strengthening diplomatic engagement and exploring future economic cooperation.
Mahmood Khan Achakzai, a member of Pakistan’s National Assembly and head of the Pakhtunkhwa Awami National Party, has said that if capable statesmen had been in power, people living on both sides of the Durand Line could have moved freely across the line.
Speaking during a podcast interview, Achakzai said that countries with histories of major conflict, including Russia, Germany and the United Kingdom, now maintain far more open borders despite past wars. He said that in many such regions, only a “paper line” remains, with limited border restrictions.
Drawing comparisons with the disputed Durand Line boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Achakzai argued that a similar arrangement could have been possible in South Asia.
“What is the problem here? A Punjabi could dance in Kandahar and a Pashtun could come here. Even if we are not formally one country, we could have effectively functioned like one,” he said.
The Pakistani politician also referred to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the later U.S.-led intervention, saying Afghanistan has the right to seek war reparations from those countries to support reconstruction efforts.
Achakzai further criticised the treatment of Pashtuns in Pakistan, alleging that individuals in cities including Lahore and Karachi have faced detention and deportation.
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