Taliban consulate ordered to close

In a crackdown against its former allies, Pakistan has ordered the Taliban to close its consulate in the port city of Karachi.

Taliban Ambassador Abdul Salam Zaeef said the Pakistanis ordered operations at the Karachi consulate to stop by the end of this week.

The Taliban maintain an embassy in Islamabad and consulates in Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar.

Karachi, the country’s largest city, is the major Pakistani commercial and banking centre. It is also a centre of Islamic fundamentalist activity and scene of the largest protests against the bombing campaign.

Zaeef was also told to stop his regular press conferences, in which he blasted the US and its coalition partners for the bombing campaign.

Because of the press conferences, which were broadcast live by CNN, Zaeef has become the most visible Taliban spokesman.

Despite supporting the US bombing campaign, launched on October 7 after the Taliban leadership refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, Pakistan remains the only country to keep diplomatic relations with the Taliban.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates severed ties after the September 11 terrorist attacks blamed on bin Laden.

Pakistan ordered the consulate to close ahead of a nationwide strike called for tomorrow by Islamic activists in protest against President Pervez Musharraf’s support for the US bombing campaign.

Officials said the government told Zaeef to ensure Afghan diplomatic staff here do not take part in any demonstrations.

Musharraf left yesterday for a visit to Europe and the US, where he will meet President George Bush during a session of the UN General Assembly in New York.