Fighters from the National Resistance Front (NRF), made up of anti-Taliban militia fighters and former Afghan security forces, are understood to have significant weapon stockpiles too in the valley, which lies around 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Kabul.

Cricket was barely known in Afghanistan until the early 2000s, and its explosive rise in popularity is linked with conflict -- the sport was picked up in Pakistan by Afghan refugees who then seeded it in their home country.

With the Taliban now in control of the country, Akram said Pakistan hopes its leaders “will listen to a sincere friend in trying to form an inclusive government” where all the ethnic groups and minorities including Tajiks, Hazaras and Shiite Muslims are represented.

Pm Imran Khan stated that Pakistan is committed to the global cooperation to alleviate poverty and support sustainable growth.

As of now, the conditions have drastically changed. The world is acknowledging Pakistan's significance as a contributor to stability in the region with the events unfolding in Afghanistan.

The hardline Islamists face the enormous challenge of shifting gears from insurgent group to governing power, days after the United States fully withdrew its troops and ended two decades of war.

With the Taliban taking over Kabul, the US government had instantly jammed Afghan reserves to avoid billions landing in the Afghan Taliban's lap.

Pakistan has stepped up its oil and gas imports compared to last year as the power sector demand surges. This is due to the resumption of economic activities and industrial revival following the relaxation of COVID-19 related restrictions on different sectors.

The Foreign Minister added that Pakistan was in touch with regional and international partners. It was essential for the world community to stay engaged to support the people of Afghanistan, economically and to help rebuild the country.

Wars can be compared to earthquakes. Some are violent and heavy in human losses, and some are relatively short and painless, but always under the surface, the tectonic plates shift and will not sit the same again.

Qatar's Sheikh Mohammed said the group had shown openness towards the idea of an inclusive government.

Islamabad is particularly worried about militant fighters from a separate, Pakistani Taliban group crossing from Afghanistan and launching lethal attacks on its territory.