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Afghanistan recalls ambassador from Pakistan

Afghanistan accused Pakistan of not doing enough to nudge Taliban to join peace talks

imran-khan-pakistan-ap File photo of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan | AP

Afghanistan on Sunday recalled its ambassador and diplomats from Pakistan after the envoy’s daughter was kidnapped. The daughter of Najibullah Alikhel, Afghanistan's ambassador to Pakistan, was on Thursday kidnapped and tortured by unknown persons for more than five hours before being released. The horrific incident had been confirmed by the Afghanistan foreign ministry on its Twitter handle.

On July 17, Afghanistan accused Pakistan of providing air support to the Taliban and said that it wasn’t doing enough to nudge the Taliban to join peace talks. Pakistan has used its influence over the Taliban to convince the militant group into talking with the US and the Afghan government. Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have for long been fraught with tension. Afghanistan has repeatedly accused Pakistan of supporting the Taliban and allowing them safe havens.

"The Afghan government recalled the ambassador and senior diplomats to Kabul until the complete elimination of the security threats, including the arrest and punishment of the perpetrators," the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Reuters.

“The abduction of Afghan ambassador’s daughter & her subsequent torture has wounded the psyche of our nation. Our national psyche has been tortured,” Afghanistan’s Vice President Amrullah Saleh said on Twitter.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry called the decision "regrettable" and said it hoped the Afghan government would reconsider, Reuters reported.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday sent an order to Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed to utilise all resources to arrest the abductors of the daughter of the Afghan ambassador within 48 hours. PM Khan has issued a directive that the matter should be investigated on top priority. Minister of Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed tweeted, “Accordingly, all efforts are being made to thoroughly investigate the matter and apprehend the persons involved in the incident. Islamabad Police is constantly in touch with the girl and family of the Afghan Ambassador.”

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