Pakistan says it “closely monitors” the situation in Afghanistan | Conflict News

Afghanistan’s eastern neighbor states that its embassy is open to people seeking consular assistance or visas and “provides assistance”.

The Pakistani government stated that it is “closely monitoring” developments in Afghanistan because Taliban militants have surrounded the Afghan capital Kabul, and panicked civilians are preparing for the Taliban’s possible takeover of the country.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri stated that the staff of the Pakistani Embassy is providing assistance to people who need consular assistance or who need to travel abroad. .

“Pakistan is closely monitoring the development of the situation in Afghanistan,” said Chaudhry. “Pakistan will continue to support efforts for a political settlement. We hope that all parties in Afghanistan will work together to resolve this internal political crisis.”

Chaudhry said that the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul “is providing necessary assistance to Pakistanis, Afghan nationals and the diplomatic and international community for consular work and coordination. [the Pakistani state-owned airline’s] flight”.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Ministry of Interior of Pakistan has set up a special team in the capital Islamabad to process visas and other documents for international diplomats, UN staff, members of multilateral international organizations and media staff.

Trapped people crossing the Pakistan-Afghan border in Chaman [Jafar Khan/AP Photo]

Pakistan has two main border crossing points with Afghanistan, Tolkham in the northwest and Chaman-Spinboldak in the southwest of Pakistan.

Earlier on Sunday, it was reported that Taliban forces occupied Jalalabad, an important city on the Afghan side adjacent to the Tolkham border crossing, and took control of the border post there.

The Ministry of the Interior stated that Pakistan has suspended border activities following the development of the situation.

However, in Chaman in Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan, local officials and reporters said that the border crossing is still open, allowing passengers to travel back and forth between the two countries.

Ajab Khan, a local security official, said that the border is open and Afghan nationals with valid IDs or refugee IDs can cross the border.