WORLD

The Biden administration will review US ties with Pakistan in light of Islamabad's support for Taliban terrorists while professing to help Washington in Afghanistan, the country's top diplomat told the US Congress on Monday.

Amid considerable disquiet among lawmakers and the US commentariat over Pakistan's duplicity in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged at a congressional hearing that Islamabad had played a dodgy role that involved "hedging its bets constantly about the future of Afghanistan," and in light of this, the US would re-assess ties to formulate what role Pakistan needs to play in the region.

"(Pakistan's role) is one that's involved harboring members of the Taliban, including the Haqqanis... It is one that's also involved in different points cooperation with us on counter-terrorism. It has a multiplicity of interests some that are in conflict -- a clear conflict -- with ours," Blinken said while responding to lawmakers who grilled him on Pakistan's "duplicitous" role in Afghanistan over the past two decades.

Pakistani rupee neared an all-time low after another fall against the US dollar. As per the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the currency closed at 168.02 against the dollar in the inter-bank market, registering a decline of Rs 0.36 or 0.21 per cent.

Dropping below the 168 level, the Pakistani rupee inched near all-time low recorded against the US dollar on August 26, 2020, reported Business Recorder.

As per Arif Habib Limited, the Pakistani rupee has lost 6.2 per cent since June 2021 and 9.4 per cent against the USD since its recent high recorded on May 14, 2021.

According to reports, an audio clip purportedly belonging to Taliban leader Mullah Fazel Akhund in which he is heard saying  "Punjab destroyed everything" has gone viral on social media.

The audio clip also reportedly mentions Mullah Fazel, Taliban's deputy defence minister referring to ISI chief General Faiz Hameed recent visit to Afghanistan as "guest (ISI chief) ruined Afghanistan's entire future and another war is expecting". 

According to reports, an audio clip purportedly belonging to Taliban leader Mullah Fazel Akhund in which he is heard saying  "Punjab destroyed everything" has gone viral on social media.

The Taliban have postponed their decision to inaugurate their newly-appointed interim government of Afghanistan, which was announced on September 7, on September 11 – the 20th anniversary of terrorist attacks in the US, sources told media.

The insurgent group is under tremendous pressure from its allies, they said.

A Taliban source told  media: “We have postponed the ceremony to unknown time and date."

The acquiescence comes hours after Russia told the Doha peace negotiation team that it will not participate in the inauguration event if it is held on the 9/11 anniversary.

The Taliban-led government of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan (IEA) will likely take oath on September 11, the day of the attacks in the US. It is the 20th anniversary of the incident this year. The newly-formed Taliban government has sent invitations to various countries like China, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Qatar, India and also the US to be a part of the oath-taking ceremony, reports suggest. 

"We recognise that peace and stability are must for investments. We want good relations with all the neighbours, including China. The war has ended, the country is getting out of the crisis. It is now the time for peace and reconstruction. We need people to support us. Afghanistan has the right to be recognised. The international community should open their embassies in Kabul," spokesperson for the Taliban Zabiullah Mujahid said.