CPEC extension to Afghanistan ‘very important’: Taliban

Gwadar Pro

Karachi: Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan – commonly known as the Taliban – has said said that extension of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan was ‘very important.’

Speaking at the Pak-Afghan Youth Forum’s International Conference titled ‘Rebuilding Afghanistan Together’ via video link, Afghanistan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid hoped that Pakistan’s help to the Afghan nation will continue in terms of its peace efforts and increasing the bilateral trade and commerce.

“We have appealed the government of Pakistan for cooperation,” he said. Mujahid said that Afghanistan appreciates the longstanding contributions of Pakistan towards the Afghan people. He assured Pakistan that it will not have any threat from Afghanistan.

Earlier, in an interview published in an Italian newspaper, Zabihullah Mujahid said that the group looked at China as the ‘most important partner’ and will primarily be relying on financing from China.

“China represents a fundamental and extraordinary opportunity for us because it is ready to invest and rebuild our country,” he said.

Mujahid also said that One Belt One Road , an infrastructure initiative by China to open trade routes, is “held in high regard by the Taliban.”

There are “rich copper mines in the country, which, thanks to the Chinese, can be put back into operation and modernised. In addition, China is our pass to markets all over the world.” said Mujahid.

He also confirmed that women will be allowed to continue studying at universities in future. He said women would be able to work as nurses, in the police or as assistants in ministries, but ruled out that there would be female ministers in the new government.

Earlier, a Taliban leader said that China had promised to keep its embassy in Afghanistan open and to increase humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged country.

Abdul Salam Hanafi, a member of the Islamist group’s political office in Doha, Qatar, “held a phone conversation with Wu Jianghao, Deputy Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China,” Suhail Shaheen, another Taliban spokesperson, tweeted.

“The Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister said that they would maintain their embassy in Kabul, adding our relations would beef up as compared to the past. Afghanistan can play an important role in security and development of the region,” he added.

“China will also continue and increase its humanitarian assistance especially for treatment of covid-19,” the spokesperson continued.

When asked at a press briefing on Friday, Beijing said its embassy in Afghanistan is “an important channel for exchanges between the two countries” and is “in normal operation.”

“We hope the Taliban will establish an open and inclusive political structure, pursue moderate and stable domestic and foreign policy and make a clean break with all terrorist groups,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin.