��������Ƶ

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hopes that the new Taliban government would ensure peace in Afghanistan and address humanitarian needs of the war-stricken Afghan people, its foreign office said on Wednesday, a day after the announcement of an interim political set-up in Kabul.
The Taliban announced their new government on Tuesday, with a UN-blacklisted veteran of the hard-line movement in the top role, after the group swept to power in a lightning offensive that toppled the US-backed President Ashraf Ghani.
The hard-liners, known for their brutal and oppressive rule during their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001, had pledged a more “inclusive” brand of rule this time as US troops completed their chaotic pullout. But all the key positions appointed Tuesday were core, veteran players in the movement.
Pakistan, which has been at the center-stage of developments concerning the land-locked country, said it was closely following the evolving situation in Afghanistan.
“We have noted the latest announcement about formation of interim political set-up in Kabul, which would address the requirement of a governance structure to meet the urgent needs of the people of Afghanistan,” its foreign office said in a statement.
“We hope that the new political dispensation will ensure coordinated efforts for peace, security and stability in Afghanistan as well as work toward taking care of humanitarian and development needs of the Afghan people.”
The statement reaffirmed Pakistan’s abiding commitment to a peaceful, stable, sovereign and prosperous Afghanistan.
Separately, Islamabad said it would be dispatching food and medicines in humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan, amid reports of famine and food shortages in the war-ravaged country.
It has lately been calling on the international community to engage with the Afghans and not to abandon them this time, warning of serious consequences of a political vacuum that may lead to insecurity and instability in the region.
“Three C-130s are being dispatched to Afghanistan,” the Pakistani foreign office said of the humanitarian aid planned for the needy Afghans. “After the first immediate tranche through air, further supplies would continue through land routes.”
The statement said Islamabad would continue to do its best to help the people of Afghanistan during the prevalent challenging environment. It once again urged the international community to play its role in helping avert a possible humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
Late last month, Pakistan International Airlines also flew the first humanitarian aid mission to Afghanistan and delivered essential medicine and other supplies of the World Health Organization as the land-locked country’s stocks dwindled.