ISLAMABAD: United States and Pakistani officials are meeting on Friday amid a worsening relationship between the two countries as each nation searches for a way forward in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Pakistan has been pressing for greater engagement with the all-male, all-Taliban Cabinet in Kabul even as it shies away from any unilateral formal recognition. The United States is quietly talking to some Taliban to evacuate Americans and others. That raised hackles among Pakistani rulers, who have slammed Washington for seeking and getting Islamabad's help to talk peace with the Taliban — even as the United States blames Pakistan for its loss in Afghanistan. Pakistan walks a fine line as it seeks to establish a relationship with the United States in a changing region, where both Russia and China have increasing influence and the Taliban now rule in Afghanistan.

Source: Manila Times October 08, 2021 16:07 UTC