Dominic Raab seems to contradict the Prime Minister by saying that the Taliban’s takeover was a surprise | Afghanistan

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Dominic Raab said there had been widespread surprise, including among the Taliban, with how quickly the group swept the military victory in Afghanistan, but that the UK now wanted direct contact with the militants.

Raab was speaking after holding talks with officials in Pakistan, the country with the most influence on the Taliban. This was his first visit to Islamabad as foreign minister, and came after criticism that he had not engaged with Pakistan’s foreign policy elite in the six months before the crisis erupted.

He told reporters, “I think it’s fair to say the takeover was faster than anyone expected, not just the UK or NATO allies, but I’ve been talking to our friends here. And I suspect the Taliban and ordinary Afghans were surprised. I think there was a common surprise on the wide range in the speed with which power was consolidated.”

His comments appeared to contradict those of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who said on Thursday that it had been “clear for several months” that the situation in Afghanistan could change very quickly. Johnson also said the loss of air cover was critical to the crash, statements that may not be well received in Washington.

Johnson says it was clear that “the situation in Afghanistan could run fast for many months” – VIDEO

Raab’s visit focuses on facilitating safe passage for those still trying to leave Afghanistan, and persuading the Taliban not to return to the repressive and divisive policies that characterized their rule in the 1990s.

After Raab laid out a terms-based approach to dealing with the Taliban, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said: “Some have the option to get up and leave but we don’t choose. We are neighbours. [and] We have to live. Geography binds us together so our approach [to the Taliban] It should be a little different [and] Real.” He said Pakistan’s position was that it had “no favourites” in Afghanistan.

Qureshi praised the positive signals issued by the Taliban leadership regarding a general amnesty for all Afghans and the protection of women’s rights and freedom of expression. He stressed that Pakistan cannot take responsibility for the Taliban’s actions, stressing its role as a mediator for the talks rather than a guarantor.

Raab is expected to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Raab may also visit the border with other British officials to examine the refugee crisis. The head of MI6, Richard Moore, also traveled to Islamabad to meet Bajwa last week.

Pakistan says its border with Afghanistan is secure and denies allegations that it played a double game by providing aid to the Taliban. Former US National Security Adviser HR McMaster told the Policy Exchange think-tank this week: “We must stop pretending that Pakistan is a partner. Pakistan has been behaving as a hostile country to us by continuing to use terrorist jihadist organizations as part of its foreign policy.” He said the country should be on the path to becoming a pariah state with one state sponsor, China.

Pakistan’s main demand in talks with Raab was to be removed from the FATF sanctions list for failing to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, which has devastated the economy. It also wants to be removed from the red list of countries that require anyone traveling from Pakistan to Britain to quarantine in a hotel upon arrival. No one would like Pakistan to be removed from the red list more, Raab said.

The Foreign Office also confirmed details of how a £30m British aid package for Afghanistan would be used. It is expected that £10 million will be immediately available to humanitarian organisations, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to send supplies to the Afghan border.

Countries expected to see a significant increase in the number of refugees will receive £20 million to help deal with new arrivals and provide essential services and supplies.

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