Tashkent: Taliban has made gains along Afghanistan’s borders with Pakistan after making similar moves along Iran border and northern border of the country as part of efforts to collect revenue that would fuel their surge.
Pakistan, considered mentor of Taliban, interestingly sealed its border with Afghanistan on Wednesday after Taliban wrested control from Afghan forces of the border town of Wesh that sits opposite the Pakistani border town of Chaman.
The crossing, in the Spin Boldak district south of Afghanistan’s main southern city Kandahar, is the landlocked country’s second busiest entry point and main commercial artery between its sprawling southwest region and Pakistani ports. Afghan government data indicate that the route is used by 900 trucks a day.
Afghan officials said government forces had pushed back the Taliban and were in control of the district. But Pakistani officials claim the Taliban remained in control of the border crossing.
The Taliban have in recent days seized other major border crossings in Herat, Farah and Kunduz provinces in the north and west. Control of border posts allows the Taliban to collect revenue, according to Shafiqullah Attai, chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment in the capital Kabul.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Imran Khan late on Wednesday night telephoned former Afghan president Hamid Karzai inviting him and other leaders to an international conference on Afghanistan to be organised by Pakistan soon. This can be seen as a desperate attempt by Pakistan to “take control” of the Afghan narrative as the US expedites its withdrawal from Afghanistan. But a Pakistani attempt will allegedly embolden Taliban which it mentors.
In a tweet, Pakistan Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the prime minister assured Karzai that Pakistan would make all out efforts for restoration of peace in the neighbouring country. However, it is not clear how Pakistan can organise this Summit amid Covid surge.
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