Taliban May Not Announce New Govt In Afghanistan Till Aug 31 As Per ‘Deal’ With US: Report

Kabul: The Taliban do not plan to make any decisions or announcements regarding the formation of a new government in Afghanistan until August 31 when the United States is scheduled to complete the withdrawal of its forces from the country, an official with talks with the group told Associated Press. 

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the official said Taliban lead negotiator Anas Haqqani told his ex-government interlocuters that the insurgent movement has a deal with America to do nothing till the time final withdrawal date of its troops and citizens passes.

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He, however, did not clarify whether the reference to doing nothing was only in the political field.

Meanwhile, Haqqani’s statement raises concern over what kind of movements the group is planning post August 30 and whether Taliban will stick to their commitment of including non-Talibani officials in the new government of Afghanistan. 

As of now, Taliban has not clarified their plans about the new government in the war-torn country and what the new regime would look like. 

US President Joe Biden will today speak about the chaotic evacuation of Americans and allies from Afghanistan as the US struggles with obstacles ranging from armed Taliban checkpoints to paperwork problems.

Tens of thousands of people are still waiting to be evacuated ahead of the United States’ August 31 deadline to withdraw its troops from the country. According to a US defence official, about 5,700 people, including about 250 Americans, were flown out of Kabul aboard 16 C-17 transport planes.

The Kabul airport has been the focus of intense international efforts to get out foreigners, Afghan allies and other Afghans most at risk of reprisal from the Taliban insurgents.

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Meanwhile, India has said that it will prioritise granting visas to civil society members, opinion makers, women activists, students and NGO workers from Afghanistan.

Additionally, Afghan people feeling threatened or facing the fear of persecution and those who supported India in rolling out various welfare and development projects will also be given priority for grant of visas. 

(With inputs from agencies)