Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said, “persuading the Taliban has become more difficult” as the Afghanistan government was getting extremely critical about Islamabad, thinking that it had some magic powers to persuade the Taliban. "Now, our leverage on the Taliban is minuscule as they think that they have won against the Americans," Imran Khan said. He went on to say: “Pakistan would influence the Taliban for holding direct talks with Turkey to secure the Kabul International Airport after US troops completely exit the conflict-hit country by August 31 ”  

About the debate over US President Joe Biden's phone call, the Prime Minister said: "I keep hearing that President Biden has not called me. It is his business. It is not like I am waiting for any phone call." Khan's comments come days after National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf said that Pakistan had other options if Biden continued to ignore its leadership.

"We will be trying the best thing for Turkey and Taliban to have a face-to-face dialogue, so that both could talk about the reasons to secure the Kabul airport," he said while talking to foreign media persons at the Prime Minister's House. Khan mentioned his meeting with Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar on Wednesday, during which they also discussed the security situation in the region, including Afghanistan.

Kevin Costner, White Sox and Yankees put on a show at 'Field of Dreams' game in Iowa

Palestine condemns Israel’s strategy to build new settlement units

Arnold Schwarzenegger calls anti-maskers 'schmucks' in powerful rant