Karachi: Afghanistan is likely to slip into a civil war if the Taliban fail to form an inclusive government. “If they do not include all the factions, sooner or later they will have a civil war,” Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said.
Talking to BBC, PM Khan said, “That would mean an unstable, chaotic Afghanistan and an ideal place for terrorists. That is a worry.”
Khan called for the new leadership in Afghanistan to be inclusive and to respect human rights. He reminded the Taliban that Afghanistan should not be used to house terrorists who could threaten Pakistan’s security.
In an oblique disapproval to Taliban's diktat that excluded girls from secondary schools with only boys and male teachers allowed to return, the prime minister said he believed that girls would soon be able to attend schools. He said preventing women from acquiring education in Afghanistan has "nothing to do with religion".
“The statements they have made since they came to power have been very encouraging,” he said. “I think they will allow women to go to schools. The idea that women should not be educated is just not Islamic. It has nothing to do with religion.”
On Pakistan's decision on whether to formally recognise the Taliban government alongside other neighbouring states, Khan said, “All neighbours will get together and see how they progress... Whether to recognise them or not will be a collective decision.”
