UK’s PM says future aid to Afghanistan hinges on IEA’s anti-terror stance

The United Kingdom has called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a harbor for terrorist groups.

In an interview with NBC on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that future aid of the international community to Afghanistan depends on the IEA’s commitments in counter-terrorism.

“What we’ve got to do, is work together as the West to say to the new authorities in Afghanistan, in Kabul, look you want our cash, we want to engage with you but Afghanistan can’t be a breeding ground for terror anymore,” Johnson stated.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Iman Khan, meanwhile, said that Islamabad along with regional countries would make a “collective” decision on whether to formally recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan or not.

In an interview with BBC, Khan stated: “All neighbors will get together and see how they progress…Whether to recognize them or not will be a collective decision.”

Zabihullah Mujahid, Deputy Minister of Information and Culture, stated Afghanistan wants to expand its relations with foreign countries based on its national interests.

“As far as the Islamic Emirate Afghanistan is concerned, we are committed to developing foreign relations. We want to have a positive and good relationship. We want such a relationship based on good diplomatic principles and based on neutral economic relations,” Mujahid said.