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Taleban consulates in Quetta, Peshawar closed

K J M Varma in Islamabad

Further to its decision to de-recognise the Taleban government, Pakistan on Tuesday ordered the closure of the two remaining Taleban consulates in Quetta and Peshawar, but remained silent on the militia's embassy in Islamabad.

Announcing this in Islamabad, Pakistan Foreign office spokesman Aziz Ahmed Khan told reporters that Pakistan government has directed the Taleban ambassador in Islamabad Mullah Abdul Saleem Zaeef to close down the consulates.

With this Pakistan has closed down all the three Taleban consulates in Pakistan. Two weeks ago it directed the closure of the consulate in Karachi and clamped restrictions on Zaeef's addressing press conferences.

The closure orders followed Monday's clarification by Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar that his government has de-recognised the Taleban government as it has collapsed, but at the same time it has not recognised any new government, awaiting the formation of a broad-based government under the aegis of the UN.

"We have already withdrawn our personnel from Afghanistan but not yet announced de-recognition of the Taleban government. That does not mean we continue to recognise it. Quite clearly the government has collapsed. For the time being Afghan embassy represents Afghanistan in our country," Sattar said.

Clarifying the government's decision to close down the consulates in Peshawar and Quetta, Khan said the decision was prompted by Northern Alliance taking over the border posts near Quetta.

In view of this the visas issued by consulate have no relevance. Similarly confusion prevailed in Peshawar too, he said.

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