Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday called the Taliban a "terrorist entity" and hinted that the door for sanctions remains open.
Talking to the press, Trudeau said that Canada has recognized the Taliban as terrorists for a long time. It is an organization that harbors terrorists, that’s why they are on the terrorism list, he added.
The leaders of the G7 group – Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the USA will hold a meeting virtually on Tuesday. Trudeau said that he is looking forward to having a conversation with his counterparts from other countries and will discuss the Afghanistan situation.
Also Read | 'People in Kabul might start looting if banks stay closed'
"Canada already recognizes, and has for long, that the Taliban are terrorists and harbor terrorists. That's why they're on the terrorist list. So, yes, we can talk about sanctions," Trudeau told reporters.
However, the leader of the G7 summit, a position that rotates and is held by the UK currently, said that the relief on existing sanctions on the Taliban "will depend on the behavior of the Taliban."
The catastrophe in Afghanistan ensued after US President Joe Biden announced a long-awaited move of receding the US Army from Afghan turf. As soon as the US pulled out its army, the Taliban started sweeping Afghanistan territory one by one.
Also Read | UK PM to urge G-7 leaders to step up support for Afghans
Currently, the US is trying to rescue tens of thousands of people stranded in Afghanistan who do not want to live under the Taliban regime. The Joe Biden administration has set a deadline of 31 August for the final withdrawal of all its forces; however, it seems unlikely since its allies are pushing to extend the deadline.
Britain said Monday it would urge the United States to extend it since many people are still left without any support, while the Taliban warned any delay would lead to "consequences."
Canada resumed flight to Kabul on Thursday for the first time since the Taliban takeover. Meanwhile, a Canadian government official said that the situation remains “volatile and chaotic” near the airport in Kabul, where thousands of terrified Afghans fleeing Taliban rule have gathered for days.
The Islamist group swept to power in mid-August, nearly 20 years after its first regime was toppled in 2001 by the US-led invasion of Afghanistan.
Canada recently pledged to take in 20,000 Afghan refugees under the new special immigration program. By now, 900 Afghans have arrived in Canada.
