Pakistani raid kills all Taliban hostage-takers, officials say
Al JazeeraNov 26, 2022
Report: UN Approves Taliban FM Meeting With Pakistan, China
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Image copyright: AFP [via Al Jazeera]
The Facts
Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s interim foreign minister, has reportedly received permission from a UN Security Council committee to travel from Afghanistan to Pakistan May 6-9 for meetings with his counterparts from Pakistan and China.
This reportedly comes upon request from Pakistan’s UN mission — which will cover the cost of the trip — on Monday for a travel exemption for Muttaqi, who is under UN Security Council sanctions, including a travel ban, asset freeze, and arms embargo.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The world must present a united front and isolate the Taliban until they make the crucial reforms necessary to be considered an equal partner with the rest of the world. Allowing Taliban officials to travel and meet with counterparts abroad only drums up unfair anti-American sentiments and empowers the Taliban to never change their brutal ways.
Establishment-critical narrative
The only way to get the Taliban to reform and to aid in the fight against terrorism is to engage with their foreign ministers because they’re in charge in Afghanistan and won’t be going anywhere soon. While respecting the Taliban’s religion and customs, they can be urged to be more inclusive and progressive while also acting to make Asia a safer continent.
