Afghanistan hurtling toward collapse, Sweden and Pakistan say

Afghanistan plunged into disaster after the hardline Islamist Taliban motion drove out the Western-backed authorities in August triggering the abrupt finish of billions of {dollars} in help to its aid-dependent economic system.

Pakistani Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry later advised Reuters that direct engagement with the Taliban was the one approach to forestall a humanitarian disaster, and known as for billions of {dollars} of Afghan belongings frozen abroad to be launched.

"Are we going to push Afghanistan into chaos or are we going to try and stabilize the country?" he mentioned in Dubai.

Engagement would additionally encourage the safety of human rights and the institution of an inclusive, constitutional authorities, he mentioned.

Pakistan has deep ties with the Taliban and was usually accused of supporting the group because it battled the US-backed authorities in Kabul for 20 years -- fees denied by Islamabad. Sweden's Fridh mentioned the Taliban had thus far did not show they'd shed the oppressive insurance policies that marked their earlier interval in energy from 1996-2001.

He additionally mentioned situations weren't proper for European nations to reopen embassies in Kabul.

Instead, more diplomatic exercise would happen in Qatar, an vital interlocutor between the West and the Taliban.

Fridh met Qatari officers within the capital Doha this week.

But Chaudhry mentioned it was time the United States, China and different main powers set out a framework for formal recognition of Afghanistan's new rulers and for the elimination of United Nations sanctions on Taliban members, together with some members of the brand new authorities.

This, along with direct financial help, was the one approach to avert instability, he mentioned, including: "The watch on this bomb is already clicking."