KABUL, 22 September 2021, (TON): The acting Prime Minister of Afghanistan Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund met representatives of Pakistan, China and Russia in Kabul, Taliban spokesperson Ahmadullah Muttaqi said in a tweet from his official handle.

Without providing details, the spokesperson posted pictures of the meeting where Pakistan’s special envoy on Afghanistan affairs Muhammad Sadiq was also present.

Russian Special Presidential Representative for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov met Mohammad Hasan Akhund, acting Prime Minister of Afghanistan appointed by the Taliban (outlawed in Russia) movement.

We will provide a detailed statement after this meeting is over, it will be published at the Foreign Ministry’s website.

The meeting comes days after Pakistan, Russia, China and Iran asked the United States and its Western allies, which were part of the 20-year-long war in Afghanistan, to bear “primary responsibility” for the post-conflict reconstruction of Afghanistan.

The leaders called on the US to engage with the Taliban, though they also urged the new Afghan rulers to yield power to a more inclusive government, remain peaceful to neighbours and combat terrorism and drug trafficking.

The calls were made by the leaders while addressing the summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) – an eight-member regional alliance, also including four Central Asian states, as well as India – held in the Tajik capital Dushanbe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the SCO should “use its potential” to “stimulate the new Afghan authorities” in fulfilling their promises on normalising life and bringing security in Afghanistan.