2 Malaysians Have Chosen To Remain In Afghanistan Amidst Taliban Takeover
Both of them work for an international relief organisation in Kabul.
By Sadho Ram — 18 Aug 2021, 11:13 AM — Updated over 3 years ago
With the fall of Mohammad Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai's government in Afghanistan to the Taliban this week, several countries are now evacuating their diplomats and citizens from the country
Malaysia is one such country.
Recently, one Malaysian citizen was safely evacuated to Malaysia as the American soldiers withdrew earlier this month and the Taliban took control of Afghanistan for the first time in almost 20 years.
According to the High Commission of Malaysia in New Delhi, India, which is accredited to Afghanistan, the evacuated Malaysian worked for a financial institution in Kabul and had contacted them for assistance.
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan soon after US troops pulled out of the country.
Image via AFP/The VibesThere are still two Malaysians currently in Afghanistan
The high commission said that both of them work for an international relief organisation in the capital city and have made arrangements to remain in Afghanistan for the time being, Bernama reported.
No further details about them were provided.
Taliban fighters in a vehicle in Herat after capturing Afghanistan's third-largest city.
Image via AFP/Yahoo NewsHowever, the high commission said that there's a possibility that there are more Malaysian citizens in Afghanistan who are unaccounted for
As such, it has advised the unaccounted Malaysians to register with the high commission and subsequently recommended that they return and remain in Malaysia until the situation in Afghanistan improves.
Malaysians in Afghanistan can reach out to the high commission via email at [email protected] or call at +911124159300.
It is located at 50-M, Satya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, India.
Meanwhile, a total of 140 Indians were evacuated from the Kabul airport onboard a special military flight yesterday morning, 17 August
The flight, a C-17 Globemaster, was one of the two military aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force for the purpose of bringing home all Indian personnel from the embassy, reported The Hindu.
According to the report, Indian diplomats led by Ambassador Rudrendra Tandon coordinated with the Taliban to ensure that the convoy of 140 reached Kabul airport and was granted a safe passage.
External Affairs Minister of India Subrahmanyam Jaishankar took to Twitter to express his gratitude to all those who helped in managing to get the Indian nationals out of Afghanistan safely.
However, several Indian nationals continue to be stranded in the country.
India's foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has since announced that India has created a special Afghanistan cell to look into the issues pertaining to the repatriation of Indian nationals.
