KABUL, 22 September 2021, (TON): The Taliban said “they admired Prime Minister Imran Khan's efforts for peace, stability and an inclusive government in Afghanistan.”

"We do not see the positive statements of Prime Minister Imran Khan as interference in the internal matters of Afghanistan," said Spokesperson for Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Zabiullah Mujahid during a news conference in Kabul.

The spokesperson further added that Pakistan, Qatar and China were playing an active-role for stability in Afghanistan.

He added "we will welcome the role of countries which are interested to work with good intent for peace and stability in Afghanistan.”

Mujahid said "we are heading towards an inclusive government."

"More people from different ethnicities including Hazaras, technocrats and educated people have been inducted in the interim cabinet. The cabinet formation is not complete yet and more people will also be included in it."

Responding to a question, the spokesperson expressed confidence that economic activities would soon resume in the country.

Earlier today, Pakistan called on world powers to unblock billions of dollars in Afghan assets frozen after the Taliban takeover.

Ahead of talks on Afghanistan at the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the most urgent priority was averting an even deeper economic collapse of the neighbouring nation that could trigger a humanitarian catastrophe.

LONDON, 22 September 2021, (TON): The UK cannot accept all Afghans who helped British forces during the country’s two-decade-long war, Defense Minister James Heappey said “as states across Europe accept a wave of refugees in the wake of the Taliban takeover.”

In Parliament, he said it is “not possible” for everyone considered at risk to be granted assistance under Britain’s new Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy.

His comments were delivered in response to MP Clive Efford, who said he knows of people who have “assisted our operations in Afghanistan” and who are eligible for the scheme, but had been denied.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said earlier this month amid Kabul evacuation efforts that the UK would help “Afghan friends of this country who guided, translated and served with our soldiers and officials, proving their courage and loyalty beyond doubt, sometimes in the heat of battle.”

But Heappey, on behalf of the government, said: “I know that’s a disappointment to many MPs who are working hard to support people who are in Afghanistan, and who they consider to be at risk. But it’s not possible for us to bring out everybody who has had a connection with the UK armed forces under the ARAP scheme. That’s why the terms were sent out as tightly as they were.”

WASHINGTON, 22 September 2021, (TON): United States President Joe Biden’s proposal to raise the target for refugee resettlement there in the coming fiscal year to 125,000 people, has been welcomed by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).

UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo, briefing journalists in Geneva said “this plan reflects the commitment of the US Government and the American people to help ensure that the world’s most vulnerable refugees have a chance to rebuild their lives in safety.”

Monday’s move fulfils an earlier pledge to raise a cap that had been cut to 15,000 under his predecessor, Donald Trump; the lowest since the 1980 Refugee Act took effect.

Ms. Mantoo said that the plan emphasizes “the importance of all countries doing their part” in responding to the needs of refugees.

The announcement comes after US officials said that more than 6,000 Haitians, together with other migrants, had been removed from an encampment at Del Rio, Texas and immediately repatriated.

The Caribbean island nation has been rocked by a recent earthquake, flooding and a political crisis caused by the assassination of its Prime Minister.

“We are disturbed by the images we’ve seen and by the fact that we’ve seen all these migrants and refugees and asylum seekers being transported to Port-au-Prince,” said UN human rights office (OHCHR) spokesperson, Marta Hurtado, who raised concerns that some refugees may not have been individually assessed and therefore may not have received that protection that they need.

RIYADH, 22 September 2021, (TON): The Arab Coalition announced the successful interception and destruction of three bomb-laden drones launched by the Houthi militants in Yemen that were headed for Khamis Mushait in Saudi Arabia. 

The Coalition stated that it is taking measures to protect citizens and civilians in the area in accordance with international humanitarian law.

BRUSSELS, 22 September 2021, (TON): The Council on Tuesday approved conclusions on Afghanistan emphasizing the EU’s commitment to peace and stability in the country and to supporting the Afghan people. The conclusions also set out the EU’s line of action for the near future.

The EU recognizes that the situation in Afghanistan is a major challenge for the international community as a whole, and stresses the need for strong coordination in engaging with relevant international partners, notably the UN.

The EU and its member states’ operational engagement will be carefully calibrated to the policy and actions of the Taliban-appointed caretaker cabinet, will not bestow any legitimacy on it, and will be assessed against the five benchmarks agreed on by EU ministers of foreign affairs at their informal meeting in Slovenia on 3 September 2021.

In this context, the rights of women and girls are of particular concern.

A minimal EU presence on the ground in Kabul, dependent on the security situation, would facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and monitoring of the humanitarian situation, and could also coordinate and support the safe, secure and orderly departure of all foreign nationals, and Afghans who wish to leave the country.

ISLAMABAD, 22 September 2021, (TON): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers should understand that if they want recognition and assistance in rebuilding the war-battered country, they have to be more sensitive and more receptive to international opinion and norms.

Qureshi, who is in New York to attend the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), said that countries are watching to see how things evolve in Afghanistan before considering recognition.

He said “I don't think anybody is in a rush to recognise at this stage and the Taliban should keep an eye on that.”

He said “if the Taliban want recognition “they have to be more sensitive and more receptive to international opinion.”

The minister said that Pakistan's objective was peace and stability in Afghanistan and to achieve that "we would suggest to Afghans that they should have an inclusive government".

He said their initial statements indicate they aren't averse to the idea, so "let's see".

Qureshi expressed the hope the Afghan Taliban would live up to their promise that girls and women would be allowed to go to school, college and university.

RIYADH, 22 September 2021, (TON): Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has said that the Kingdom will always provide its "good offices" when possible to resolve issues between Pakistan and India.

In an interview during his three-day visit to India, he spoke on a myriad of topics including Afghanistan and Saudi-India ties.

Responding to a question about whether the Kingdom was disappointed with the fact that there aren't talks between India and Pakistan, he said: "We will always provide our good offices when we can, but it’s up to India and Pakistan to decide when the time is right."

The interviewer noted that one of the issues between India and the Kingdom were statements by the Saudi-led Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) regarding occupied Kashmir, the status of Indian Muslims and communal violence.

When asked whether he had discussed this in a meeting with his Indian counterpart, the Saudi minister said that these were "domestic issues".

KHARTOUM, 22 September 2021, (TON): Sudanese authorities have foiled an attempted coup, the army said, warding off a challenge to a civilian-military council that has run the country since Omar al-Bashir was overthrown in 2019.

A civilian member of the ruling council told Reuters the situation was under control after the attempted coup overnight had been contained. Interrogation of suspects was due to begin, the council member, spokesman Mohamed Al Faki Suleiman said.

The ruling body known as the Sovereign Council has run Sudan under a fragile power-sharing deal between the military and civilians following Bashir's overthrow.

It plans to hold free elections in 2024.

The media adviser to Sovereign Council head, General Abdelfattah al-Burhan, told state news agency "the military has defeated the coup attempt and the situation is completely under control."

A government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the coup attempt had involved an effort to take control of state radio in Omdurman, across the River Nile from the capital Khartoum.

WASHINGTON, 22 September 2021, (TON): Tensions among Western allies cast a shadow over the start of the UN summit week with France furious over a scuppered mega-contract but US President Joe Biden addressing a European grievance.

Biden arrived in New York for his first UN General Assembly in hopes of turning the page on the turbulent presidency of Donald Trump and rallying allies in the face of a rising China.

He is also seeking to step up action on climate change and to forge global unity on Afghanistan, where the Taliban swiftly took control after Biden withdrew US troops last month.

But tensions with France suddenly took centre stage after Australia last week canceled a multi-billion-dollar contract for French submarines, instead seeking US nuclear versions as part of a new three-way alliance with Washington and London.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has accused the United States of betrayal and Australia of back-stabbing and has no separate meeting scheduled yet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

ISLAMABAD, 22 September 2021, (TON): Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa told Greek Ambassador Andreas Papastavrou, who called on him at GHQ, that Pakistan is safe for all sorts of international tourism, sports and business activities.

The army chief said “we encourage healthy bilateral exchanges in all areas of common interest.”

An Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) media release said “curing the meeting matters of mutual interest, regional security situation especially current situation in Afghanistan and cooperation in various fields were discussed.”

The Army Chief said that Pakistan remained committed to cooperating with its international partners for peace in the region and ensuring a stable and prosperous future for Afghan people.

He also lauded Pakistan’s role in Afghan situation including successful evacuation operations and efforts for regional stability.

On September 9, while talking to Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Gen Bajwa reiterated the shared resolve of extending humanitarian assistance for Afghans.

The military's media wing quoted the army chief  “Pakistan remains committed to working with its international partners for peace in the region and ensuring a stable and prosperous future for people of Afghanistan.”