The Taliban’s foreign ministry in a statement on Monday welcomed Britain’s announcement that it did not support anyone seeking political change through violence in Afghanistan.

“Acknowledgement of the fact that peace and stability in Afghanistan, along with positive engagement with IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan), is in the interest of the region and the world is praiseworthy,” said the ministry’s spokesperson, Abdul Qahar Balkhi.

The British chargé d’affaires to Afghanistan, Hugo Shorter, said on Sunday that his country did not support anyone, including Afghans, seeking to achieve political change through violence, “or any activity inciting violence for political purposes in Afghanistan, would not be allowed.”

Mr Shorter added that Britain would not allow its soil to be used to plan or prepare acts of violence and strongly discouraged others from doing so.

“Violence of any kind is not in Afghanistan’s interests, nor the international community’s, and we deplore terrorist attacks of all kinds,” he stated.

The UK official stated that there was no alternative to engaging in dialogue with the current administration of Afghanistan.

The UK’s announcement came on the heels of an attack on a Sikh Temple, which the Islamic State took responsibility for, and the latest military gain by an anti-Taliban resistance group.

The Taliban retook power last year after waging a fierce war against international forces and the Afghan government that the foreign troops supported for decades.

Since then, the hardliners have monopolised power and imposed harsh restrictions on human rights.

No country has recognised the government. 

(dpa/NAN)