Bangladesh is closely observing the situation in Afghanistan where the Taliban took over power ousting the existing government by force on Sunday.
Dhaka will not recognise anybody as the government there unless the situation is stable, and it wants reflection of the will of people of Afghanistan in the run up to the conquest of power by the Taliban in Kabul, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs, M Shahriar Alam on Monday.
Bangladesh is also gearing up efforts to evacuate Bangladeshi nationals from there, he mentioned adding that already three Bangladeshis were evacuated, Mr Alam said while talking to the newsmen at his office.
The government has tracked another seven Bangladeshis who are working in a telecom company and we are trying to evacuate them through our mission in Uzbekistan, a neighbour to Afghanistan, the minister informed.
Shahriar hoped that this time the Taliban would take a different approach in ruling the country unlike their previous spell, when people’s freedom and basic rights were restricted.
“I had discussion with officials in Qatar, a country that mediated between the Taliban and the international community”.
“Quoting the Taliban leadership, the Qatari officials gave us the hint that the Taliban leaders had assured them that people’s basic rights will be honoured and they would not allow terrorists to use their land.”
Bangladesh considers Afghanistan a friendly state, though recently there was not that much diplomatic activities between the two countries thanks to the unstable situation there.
In response to a question whether there is a apprehension of the rise of pro-Taliban forces in Bangladesh following their conquest of power in Kabul, he said that the government has full capability now to prevent militant elements.
“Besides, people are more aware now and I hope that they will not be easily influenced by militant elements.”
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com