High-ranking British official meets Taliban representatives in Afghanistan

A group of British officials have traveled to Kabul to meet and hold talks with representatives of the Taliban government in Afghanistan. The purpose of this visit has been stated as “advancing the fight against terrorism and improving the conditions for girls’ and women’s education and employment in Afghanistan.”

Kabul hosted a group of senior British representatives led by Simon Gass, Britain’s special envoy for Afghan affairs. This is the first round of formal talks with Taliban officials following the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan. The Taliban government aims to reduce its political isolation by expanding international relations.

France’s news agency reported on Tuesday, October 5 (Mehr 13) about the meeting and negotiations between senior British government representatives and Taliban officials in Kabul.

The Taliban government faces serious economic challenges. After 20 years of dependence on foreign financial aid, including humanitarian assistance, payments of these aids have now been halted to a great extent.

It appears that financial institutions providing financial assistance to Afghanistan currently lack the willingness to continue this practice, and no emergency plan has been envisioned to meet Afghanistan’s financial needs.

This is while the Taliban has requested foreign countries to continue their financial assistance. It is said that many government employees, including those working in the health and medical services sector, have not received their salaries for several months.

British officials in Kabul

Taliban officials released images of the first meeting of Simon Gass, Britain’s special envoy for Afghan affairs, with Abdul Ghani Baradar as well as Abdul Salam Hanafi, one of the Taliban’s deputy prime ministers, in Kabul.

One of the achievements of the British team’s trip to Kabul was the release of Ben Slater, a former British Army soldier. Slater had been detained by Taliban forces at the Afghanistan-Pakistan border last month while attempting to evacuate some Afghan refugees from the country.

He has now managed to leave Kabul with the British team. On the other hand, both parties in these negotiations emphasized cooperation between the two countries on counter-terrorism as well as addressing social crises in that country.

It is said that Britain raised the issue of Afghan citizens who wish to leave Afghanistan in meetings with Taliban officials.

Two other issues, one concerning the rights of Afghan women and girls and another concerning how the Taliban treats other minorities in that country, were also discussed in talks between British officials and the Taliban.

France’s news agency also reported the presence of Martin Langdon, Britain’s representative for Afghan affairs, at Simon Gass’s meeting with Taliban officials.

Taliban’s efforts to end isolation

Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesman for the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry, also said that in negotiations between officials of this government and British representatives, the resumption of diplomatic relations with the country was also discussed.

This is while British officials have stated that their meeting with Taliban officials does not mean recognizing the legitimacy of the Taliban government.

They have emphasized that the purpose of this trip and meeting was to maintain a channel of communication with Taliban officials. A senior British official stated: “We have a pragmatic approach to the situation in Afghanistan. The fact that we can enter and leave Afghan soil without danger is a positive development.”

He also emphasized that the purpose of this meeting was to ensure safe passage, humanitarian cooperation, and counter-terrorism efforts.

Western countries are calling for an inclusive government in Afghanistan. They have also asked Taliban officials to respect human rights, particularly women’s rights.

Efforts to escape isolation

The Taliban have also taken several measures to gain favorable attention from other countries in line with their commitment to international responsibilities.

This is while the Taliban domestically continue to emphasize their government’s return to an extremist interpretation of Islamic law. In recent weeks, the Taliban has taken actions that have fueled international concerns. Among these is the hanging of three bodies in Herat.

On the other hand, 50 days after taking power, the Taliban took steps to reduce international criticism. For example, they announced the return of some women to their jobs.

Qari Syed Khosti, spokesman for Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry, told a France news agency reporter that the Taliban has called back employees of the passport issuance department, including women working in this sector, to resume their work.

It is said that the Taliban has resumed issuing passports to citizens after a hiatus in this process.

Passport issuance with Taliban symbols and insignia

It has also been reported that girls in one of Afghanistan’s northern provinces have returned to their schools to continue their secondary education. This is while in much of the country, secondary education for girls remains banned.

A video released by Suhail Shaheen, Taliban spokesman, shows female students returning to schools while observing the hijab, including wearing black clothing, and waving the Taliban flag in their hands.

This is while, based on a decision by the Taliban’s Ministry of Education, secondary education for girls remains banned. The Taliban claims that once girls’ safety is guaranteed, they can return to schools to continue their education in accordance with Islamic law.

Germany’s news agency also reported the return of some women to the passport issuance office. These female employees are responsible for handling biometric data of women in this office.

Although passports are still being issued under the former official name of this country, “Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” the Taliban government intends to soon issue new passports in line with its policies and symbols.

It is said that following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, 170,000 people from the country have requested passport issuance and wanted to leave the country.

Germany’s news agency reported, citing the new head of the country’s passport office, that passports have been issued to 25,000 people so far.

Source: DW