Pakistan keeping a close eye on Afghanistan situation: Moeed Yusuf

• National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf gives statement after Taliban takes control of Afghanistan.
• Says Kabul was captured earlier than expected.
• Announces visa facilitation for citizens of all countries trapped in Kabul.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is keeping a close eye on the situation in Afghanistan, said National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf on Monday after the Taliban consolidated their hold over the country two decades later.

A day earlier, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country and conceded the insurgents had won the 20-year war.

The astonishingly quick collapse of the government, with the Afghan Taliban taking over the presidential palace in Kabul Sunday night, triggered fear and panic in the capital.

Thousands of people were on Monday trying to escape Kabul with scenes of chaos as crowds gathered at the airport.

The situation in Afghanistan is better now, the NSA said, adding that Pakistan is working to evacuate people from Kabul.

For this purpose a special cell has been set up at the interior ministry which will function 24 hours a day.

He called for embassies of other countries in Pakistan to get in touch with the cell.

The NSA said that so far no country had made any statement against Pakistan. "This is our success," he said, adding that one should not rely on rumours.

Even India is silent and no one has talked about Pakistan, Yusuf said, adding that work on finding a scapegoat is still continuing, he said.

Yusuf said said that Kabul was captured by the Taliban much earlier than expected.

The National Security Adviser said that visa facilitation will be provided by Pakistan to the citizens of all countries trapped in Kabul, emphasising that Pakistan wants law enforcement and the implementation of human rights.

"If anyone wants to get out, we will help," Yusuf said.

He also said the World Bank and International Monetary Fund want to monitor Afghanistan from Pakistan.

FM Qureshi holds talks with Afghan leaders

Earlier today, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi hosted an Afghan delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the call, the foreign minister shared Pakistan’s perspective on the latest situation in Afghanistan, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

"Pakistan considered all segments of Afghanistan important in shaping the final destiny of their country," he said.

He expressed the hope that the Afghan leaders would take advantage of international support for peace and reconciliation and work together to deal with the evolving situation in Afghanistan in the supreme national interest of the country and according to the aspiration of the people.

Qureshi underlined that the region could not afford continued instability in Afghanistan which would impact negatively the objective of a peaceful and connected region.

He added that the international community’s continued engagement in the efforts for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan would be important as it was a shared responsibility.

Emphasizing that lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s interest, FM Qureshi reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue to play its constructive role to support a peaceful, united and prosperous Afghanistan.

The delegation appreciated the invitation for consultation on the latest situation in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s facilitative role was acknowledged by the political leaders.

The delegation emphasized multi-ethnic nature of the Afghan society and the importance of an inclusive political solution and underscored commitment to forge long-term relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan and to expand the fraternal ties in all areas.

The delegation of the Afghan leaders is visiting Pakistan in view of the evolving situation in Afghanistan