Pakistan will establish diplomatic relations with the new government in Afghanistan, and will send back its ambassador who represented Pakistan to the Taliban regime, a foreign office spokesman said on Friday. Pakistan was the last country to have diplomatic relations with the Taliban before the Islamic militia was driven from power by US airstrikes and opposition forces. Pakistan recalled Ambassador Arif Ayuf days before the US-led coalition began airstrikes in Afghanistan on October 7.

Foreign office spokesman Aziz Ahmed Khan said Ayuf will remain ambassador to the new anti-Taliban regime, which takes office on Saturday with Prime Minister Hamid Karzai at its helm. Ayuf will attend the ceremony, and Pakistan will recognise the new government the same day, Khan said. In Kabul, Ayub will make arrangements to reopen the embassy.
Pakistan was the first country to recognise the Taliban when they took power in 1996. Some officials of the new government in Afghanistan have accused Pakistan of meddling in Afghan affairs. Bureau Report