War in Afghan is over, now we will rebuild the country, says Taliban

A man holds a placard reading ‘Stop killing Afghans’ as he takes part in a rally in support of Afghanistan’s people following the takeover of the country by the Taliban, at the Place de la Republique, in Paris. Pic/AFP

Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid on Monday said that the war in Afghanistan is over and an announcement about the formation of the new government will be made in the next few days. "The war in Afghanistan is over, now we will work together to rebuild this country," said Mujahid at a press conference in Kabul, as quoted by TOLO News. "A new government will be announced in the next few days," he added.

Earlier today, the Taliban had announced that Panjshir became the last Afghan province to fall under the control of the Taliban. However, resistance forces rejected the claim, saying that their leader Ahmad Massoud will soon make a statement. During the presser, the Taliban spokesperson informed that technical teams from Qatar, Turkey and the UAE are working to restart operations at Kabul airport. "People should know that the ‘invaders' will never reconstruct our country and it is the responsibility of our people to do it themselves."

Over Beijing's role in the reconstruction of the country, Mujahid said The Taliban wants good relations with the world, China is a big economic power and is very important for Afghanistan and much needed support for reconstruction and development. Last week, Pakistan intelligence chief Faiz Hameed took an "emergency" trip to Kabul to reportedly resolve an evolving internal crisis in the Taliban.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks during a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday. Pic/AP/PTI

"Pakistan repeatedly asked to visit Kabul and we recently agreed. They are worried about the release of prisoners, those who belong to Pakistan and want to carry out attacks in Pakistan. We assured them that no one will be allowed to threaten any country from Afghanistan," the spokesperson said.

Taliban confirms ISI chief's visit

The Taliban confirmed that Pakistan's intelligence chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed has met its de-facto leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, amidst efforts by the insurgent group to finalise a government in Afghanistan. Inter-Services Intelligence Director General Lt Gen Hameed dashed to Kabul last week, becoming the only high-ranking foreign official to visit Kabul since the Taliban seized the capital.

Pak-Afghan border sees surge in trade

The Pakistan-Afghanistan Torkham border, the main trade route between the two countries, that also caters as transit trade route for other nations, has seen a major surge in trade activities since the Taliban have taken control of the border operations on the Afghan side. The trade activities along the border have increased as hundreds of trucks now, cross the border on a daily basis for trade purposes.

China silent on Taliban's invitation

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday did not respond to a media report claiming that the Taliban has invited China, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, Iran and Qatar to attend the new government formation ceremony in Afghanistan. China is already coordinating its evolving policy on Afghanistan with its "all-weather ally" Pakistan and Russia which also share borders with Afghanistan.

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