We will close our border if Taliban take control of Afghanistan: Qureshi

- Pakistan will continue its diplomatic efforts for peace in the country and welcome its democratically elected leadership

New delhi date. Monday, June 28, 2021

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Sunday that the withdrawal of US troops could lead to violence and chaos in Afghanistan. If the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, Pakistan would close its border with that country.

Qureshi said Pakistan had already sheltered 3.5 million Afghans but would no longer accept more refugees. Qureshi made the statement at a conference in the central city of Multan.

"If we can't take more refugees, we will close our border," Qureshi said. We have to protect our national interests. He further said that Pakistan would continue its diplomatic efforts for peace in the country and would welcome its democratically elected leadership.

After the withdrawal of the then Soviet Union in 1989, millions of Afghans fled to Pakistan due to infighting between Mujahideen groups. The US-led coalition ousted the Taliban from power in Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

Over the past few weeks, Taliban fighters have occupied various districts in southern and northern Afghanistan. At the same time, they are trying to get the government security forces to surrender and seize their weapons and military vehicles.