- Title: Afghan delegation of Northern Alliance urges inclusive government in Afghanistan
- Date: 19th August 2021
- Summary: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (AUGUST 19, 2021) (REUTERS) MEMBERS OF AFGHAN DELEGATION ARRIVING AND SITTING DOWN FOR NEWS CONFERENCE VARIOUS OF MEMBERS OF AFGHAN DELEGATION SEATED NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) MEMBER OF AFGHAN DELEGATION, MUHAMMAD YUNUS QANUNI, SAYING: "So, we are engaged with the counterparts in Pakistan to discuss how could we together prevent violence against the people, against the children, against the women in Afghanistan and to stop any bloodshed." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) MEMBER OF AFGHAN DELEGATION, MUHAMMAD YUNUS QANUNI, SAYING: "What we argued is that the solution for the future set up lies on a proportionate participation of all ethnic groups and all different faiths in Afghanistan." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) MEMBER OF AFGHAN DELEGATION, MUHAMMAD YUNUS QANUNI, SAYING: "We maintained in the past that we are committed to the desires and wishes of our people and we remain committed and those wishes are freedom of expression, women's rights, rights of the ethnic groups, rights to choose .... and also the rule of law." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) MEMBER OF AFGHAN DELEGATION, MUHAMMAD YUNUS QANUNI, SAYING: (SOUNDBITE CONTINUES AFTER TRANSLATOR'S VOICE) "We oppose a rule by one party and also by one side from the past. We make it clear that if the Taliban are going to repeat the same status they had pre-1996 they are bound to fail." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) MEMBER OF AFGHAN DELEGATION, MUHAMMAD YUNUS QANUNI, SAYING: "But should the Tehrik-e-Taliban choose a different path, as they say they have changed, that has to be proven in practice and in behaviour." JOURNALIST SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) MEMBER OF AFGHAN DELEGATION, MUHAMMAD YUNUS QANUNI, SAYING: (SOUNDBITE CONTINUES AFTER TRANSLATOR'S VOICE) "From a comprehensive and inclusive government we have our own definition and the Taliban have their own ... and an inclusive government can't be defined as one party rule. That can't be an inclusive government." JOURNALISTS SEATED NEWS CONFERENCE ENDING VARIOUS OF DELEGATION LEAVING
- Embargoed: 2nd September 2021 18:33
- Keywords: Afghanistan Northern Alliance Pakistan Taliban conflict
- Location: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
- City: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
- Country: Pakistan
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Conflicts/War/Peace,Insurgencies
- Reuters ID: LVA001EQY1WEF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The head of an Afghan delegation of the Northern Alliance, whose U.S.-backed forces toppled the Taliban in 2001, called for an inclusive government in Afghanistan after the Islamist group seized control of the country.
The delegation held meetings with Pakistan's political and military leadership.
Since seizing Kabul on Sunday (August 15), the Taliban have presented a more moderate face, saying they want peace, will not take revenge against old enemies and will respect the rights of women within the framework of Islamic law.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday (August 19), Muhammad Yunus Qanuni said the Taliban should show their changed behaviour in practice.
"We make it clear that if the Taliban are going to repeat the same status they had pre-1996 they are bound to fail," Qanuni said.
Protests against the Taliban's takeover have spread to more cities, including the capital Kabul, while the militant group called on the country's imams to urge unity at Friday prayers, the first since they seized control.
(Production: Salah Uddin, Shahabuddin Shahab, Natasa Bansagi) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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