The Government of Maldives says the recent meeting between the High Commissioner of Maldives in Pakistan and a representative of Afghanistan in Islamabad, was not sanctioned by the government.
Photos emerged on social media on Friday which showed a meeting had taken place between the Maldivian High Commissioner to Pakistan Mohamed Thoha and the Taliban's envoy to Pakistan Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb.
In a statement, the government distanced itself from the meeting stating that it was not sanctioned by the government. It further said that appropriate action has been taken by the Government of Maldives.
The statement also said that the Government of Maldives is guided by the practice followed by the United Nations General Assembly when questions arise about the representative character of a government.
It added that consistent with this practice, the Maldives recognizes the Government representing Afghanistan at the United Nations as the legitimate Government of Afghanistan.
