Pakistanis lash out at their govt for celebrating the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan

Pakistani Twitter has lashed out at ministers of the ruling party for celebrating the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Two notable Ministers, including Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul and Federal Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari, tweeted on the situation in Afghanistan.

WAIT A MINUTE…WHAT’S HAPPENING IN AFGHANISTAN?

In a rapid turn of events, President Ghani of Afghanistan has reportedly fled the country as the Taliban enter Kabul, amidst severe criticism from his opponents, saying that now is not the time for him to leave his country as the dreaded Taliban come back to rule once more.

The Taliban took the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, late on Saturday, and on Sunday morning, they seized the city of Jalalabad. They are now in control of the Torkham border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Within a week they have taken down Afghan government flags and hoisted their own white banners.

Despite two decades of war with American-led forces, and reportedly more than 83 billion dollars spent by the US, the Taliban have survived and are now effectively in control of Pakistan’s neighbouring country. They have managed to do this in 10 days time with little resistance from the Afghan forces.

WHAT DID PAKISTANI POLITICIANS DO ON TWITTER?

Zartaj Gul in a tweet said, “India gets an appropriate gift on its Independence Day- its fascist terror-oriented Government should celebrate now today with tears and sorrow.”

“The Kabul regime it used to wreak terrorism in Pakistan across many years has fallen and people are rejoicing all across Afghanistan,” said Zataj Gul in a tweet, which was later deleted.

People on social media are calling out the ministers for their tweets.

Shireen Mazari posted an image of the US leaving from Vietnam after the war ended in 1975 with an image of a US carrier leaving Afghanistan. Many on Twitter thought it was a ‘celebration’ of the US leaving an occupied territory, although she tried to clear her stance that it is not what she meant.

Saigon, Vietnam and Kabul, Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/gIfqDSL1ve

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) August 15, 2021

Madam this is beyond ignorant. This is debilitating to our relationship with the most influential stakeholder in the world and a key relationship for us as we navigate a world full of crisis. What are you doing?????

— Habibullah Khan (@Huk06) August 15, 2021

Who needs NDS and RAW when the enemies of Pakistan can feast on tweets like this? https://t.co/4wj4MyCyEz

— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) August 15, 2021

Different shades of hypocritic apologists. All out of their holes today. Look out for all those celebrating the take-over with guns and by force. Trying desperate to project a renaissance. Would always prefer a US visa over Afghanistan’s for them and children.

— Gharidah Farooqi (T.I.) (@GFarooqi) August 15, 2021

This is no time for gloating. Somber reflection and preparation for the blowback in Pakistan would be more appropriate. https://t.co/xjc8Ty0BYw

— Bina Shah (@BinaShah) August 15, 2021

WHERE IS HAMID KARZAI?

According to a video message circulating on social media, the former president of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai has said that he will stay in Kabul with his family.

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he is remaining in Kabul with his daughters and his family, calls on the Taliban and Afghan army to protect Afghans.

AP reports current President Ghani has fled for Tajikistan pic.twitter.com/VWnu4oLTEa

— Julia Macfarlane (@juliamacfarlane) August 15, 2021

TALIBAN STANCE

Three diplomatic sources said Ali Ahmad Jalali, a US-based academic and former Afghan interior minister, could be named head of an interim administration in Kabul, though it was unclear whether the Taliban had agreed, Reuters has reported.

A Taliban spokesman has told the BBC that the group “will respect rights of women” as it takes control of Afghanistan.

A spokesperson for the Taliban, Suhail Shaheen, told BBC News: “We will respect rights of women…our policy is that women will have access to education and work, to wear the hijab.”

PAKISTAN’S STANCE:

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi says Pakistan will keep on playing a positive role in the establishment of peace in Afghanistan.  Addressing the media in Multan, he said the whole world has acknowledged Pakistan’s stance regarding the Afghanistan issue. He further said that Afghan people want peace in their country and they are to decide their future for themselves. The minister added that Pakistan has no favourites in Afghanistan and whoever forms the government there, Pakistan will accept it.

Meanwhile, an Afghan political delegation led by Wolesi Jirga Speaker Mir Rahman Rahmani arrived in Pakistan on Sunday evening.

Political leadership of Afghanistan in the State Lounge at Islamabad International Airport. pic.twitter.com/gwQI6wiMKC

— Mohammad Sadiq (@AmbassadorSadiq) August 15, 2021

Just received a high level Afghan political leadership delegation including Speaker Ulusi Jirga Mir Rehman Rehmani, Salah-ud-din Rabbani, Mohammad Yunus Qanooni, Ustad Mohammad Karim Khalili, Ahmad Zia Massoud, Ahmad Wali Massoud, Abdul Latif Pedram, and Khalid Noor.

— Mohammad Sadiq (@AmbassadorSadiq) August 15, 2021