ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has welcomed Taliban’s desire to become part of multi billion dollars China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

Talking to the media persons in Islamabad on Monday, he said the CPEC was the jugular vein of Pakistan, and the friendship between Pakistan and China was higher than the Himalayas.

Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said that those who perpetrated recent suicide attacks in Gwadar and Mastung had come from Afghanistan. He said the Afghans Taliban had assured that they would not allow their land to be used against Pakistan.

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He said Pakistan desired peace and stability in Afghanistan. He said progress of Pakistan and Afghanistan was interlinked.

On the other hand, the Taliban on Monday said that the preparations for the new government under Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan were complete and the government would soon be announced.

Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said preparations for the government’s announcement were complete and only technical work remained. “We ourselves want to see this happen soon and we are waiting. The government will be announced in the next few days,” he tweeted without announcing the exact date or day.

He said that China, Russia, Qatar, Turkey, Iran and Pakistan were invited to attend the ceremony related to announcement of the new government.

Zabihullah Mujahid said the Taliban saw China’s support as a positive step and expected China to recognise the new government.

He also shared pictures of reconstruction work on a bridge in eastern Paktika province.

Talking about Taliban’s capturing of Panjshir province and appointment of government officials. He said all Taliban officials in Panjshir were from this province.