Taliban offices in Pak not closed — Envoy

ISLAMABAD, JAN 21: Taliban today dismissed as "baseless" reports that Pakistan has ordered immediate closure of all the offices of the Afghanistan’s ruling militia in the country. "We have neither closed our offices in Pakistan nor received any order for the closure from Pakistani authorities," Taliban Ambassador to Pakistan, Mulla Abdul Salam Zaeef, said. Earlier reports said Pakistan ordered immediate closure of all Taliban offices and the offices of Afghan Ariana Airlines besides freezing funds and other financial assets of indicted terrorist Osama bin Laden in compliance with the new UN sanctions on Afghanistan.

Pakistan foreign official yesterday said: "We will be in touch with the Taliban in Islamabad to find out the strength of the mission and any step they may be taking in response to the UN resolution."