PM sees civil war if Taliban fail to form inclusive govt

Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned that Afghanistan could descend into civil war if the Taliban failed to form an inclusive government.

“If they do not include all the factions, sooner or later they will have a civil war,” he said in an interview with the BBC.

“That would mean an unstable, chaotic Afghanistan and an ideal place for terrorists. That is a worry.”

PM Khan laid out conditions that would need to be met for Pakistan to officially recognize the new Taliban government.

PM Khan called for new leadership in the neighboring country to be inclusive and to respect human rights. He reminded the Taliban that Afghanistan should not be utilized to house terrorists who could compromise Pakistan’s security.

As the Taliban had recently excluded girls from secondary school with only boys and male teachers permitted to return, PM Khan said he believes that girls will soon be allowed to attend schools. He further said, preventing women from education in Afghanistan would be un-Islamic.

“The statements they have made since they came to power have been very encouraging,” he said. “I think they will allow women to go to schools. The idea that women should not be educated is just not Islamic. It has nothing to do with religion.”

The decision to exclude girls from returning to school last week provoked an international objection, with a Taliban spokesman later explaining they would return to the classroom “as soon as possible”. But it is not yet clear when girls will actually be able to return or what form of education will be provided if they do.

When pressed on whether the Taliban would pragmatically meet the criteria set by Pakistan for formal recognition, PM Khan repeatedly called on the international community to give the group more time. “It’s just too early to say anything,” he said, adding that he expected Afghan women to eventually “assert their rights”.

Prime Minister Khan said Pakistan would make a decision on whether to formally recognize the Taliban government alongside other neighboring states. “All neighbors will get together and see how they progress,” he said.

“Whether to recognize them or not will be a collective decision.”