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Published 18 Sep, 2021 03:46pm

Initiated dialogue with Taliban for 'inclusive' Afghan govt: PM Imran

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said he had initiated a dialogue with the Taliban for an inclusive government in Afghanistan to include Tajiks, Hazaras and Uzbeks, he wrote in a tweet.

After meetings in Dushanbe with leaders of Afghanistan's neighbours and especially a lengthy discussion with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, the prime minister tweeted the initiative.

Talking about the importance of the inclusive government, the premier said the move will ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan, which is in their interest as well as the region's.

During his visit to Tajikistan earlier this week, the prime minister held talks with the heads of state on the sideline of 20th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of State Summit.

After they took over Kabul on August 14, the international community hoped they would form an inclusive government representing all ethnicities and factions from Afghanistan. There were also calls for the Taliban to include women.

The Taliban announced an interim government on Sept. 6, which consisted of a majority of their group members and included four members of Haqqani network — two of them wanted by the United States.

It did not include other ethnicities, religious minorities or women.

In another recent development, the Taliban abolished women ministry and replaced it with Ministries of Prayer and Guidance and the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, according to a Reuters report.

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