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.

These included Afghanistan not serving as a base for terrorism, respecting the rights of women and the media, the establishment of an "inclusive and representative" government, and allowing access to aid.

In an interview earlier this week Borrell advocated for setting up a rapidly deployable 5,000-strong EU army, and ahead of the ministers’ discussions compared the latest developments in Afghanistan to “events that catalyze history, that create a breakthrough.” 

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.

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.

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.

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

Foreign Minister Maas also highlighted the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan-Germany diplomatic relations during 2021.

Should Biden have chosen to ignore the Taliban's insistence that US forces leave by his self-imposed Aug. 31 deadline, direct hostilities with the group were highly likely to occur.

China shares a border with Afghanistan in its Northwest Xinjiang region, terrorist groups that once gathered in Afghanistan, including the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), posed threats to China’s national security.