MONITORING (SW) – Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke by telephone with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon about the situation in Afghanistan.
The office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan announced that the telephone call was made last evening.
According to the office of the President of Tajikistan, in this telephone call the two leaders discussed regional issues with emphasis on the situation in Afghanistan. Rahmon said the situation in Afghanistan remained in the focus of Tajikistan, because all the events that take place in this country have a direct impact on the security situation in the region in general.
The President of Tajikistan stressed that the establishment of a comprehensive dialogue between the various forces is one of the important factors in restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan. He announced his country’s readiness to cooperate with everyone around him in this process.
With tensions mounting between the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and Tajikistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday stepped in to defuse tensions, according to a diplomatic source.
“Prime Minister Imran Khan held telephonic conversation with President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan today,” the Prime Minister Office said in a statement.
The call took place as Taliban officials and Tajik government exchanged barbs and reports emerged that Tajik forces held parades in regions bordering Afghanistan earlier in the week in a show of power and Taliban sent thousands of fighters to the border with Afghanistan’s northeastern neighbour.
Tensions between Afghanistan and Tajikistan have worried Russia. Russia has called on Tajikistan and the Taliban to resolve tensions in a way that is acceptable to both sides.
The Taliban, on the other hand, have accused Tajikistan of meddling in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.
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