Pakistan Urges Taliban to Abandon ‘War-Minded’ Approach

Pakistan’s information minister, Attaullah Tarar, has urged the Taliban administration to abandon what he called a ‘war-mongering mindset’ and move toward stable and responsible governance. He said Afghanistan could become an important route for economic development, transit and trade between Central Asia and Pakistan, but that depends on a change in the Taliban administration’s approach.

Tarar added that Afghanistan has a population of around 45 million and that its people deserve a bright future and lasting prosperity. According to him, achieving that goal requires a focus on responsible governance and reaching internal consensus.

Pakistan’s information minister also said warlike and violent policies cannot meet the demands of the Afghan people and that diplomacy and stable governance must replace armed conflict.