Taliban gov’t disowns diplomatic missions loyal to former regime

ISLAMABAD, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Afghan Islamic Emirate announced on Tuesday that consular services provided by Afghanistan in several Western countries are no longer recognized. The decision stems from the failure of these consulates to engage with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal said in a statement on Tuesday. Any documents issued by these consulates will not be accepted by the Islamic Emirate's authorities, and the ministry takes no responsibility for such documents, he affirmed. "In London, Belgium, Berlin, Bonn, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Canada, and Australia, consular services such as affidavits, certifications, non-liability documents, passport issuance, passport extension stickers, and visa stickers are not accepted by the central administration, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs holds no responsibility for these documents," said the spokesperson. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly urged the Afghan political and consular missions in European countries to engage with Kabul," he said, adding, "Unfortunately, the actions of most of the missions are carried out arbitrarily, without coordination, and in explicit violation of the existing accepted principles." Earlier in 2021, Afghan Taliban took over control of the country following United States forces withdrawal from Afghanistan after two decades. Source: Kuwait News Agency