Although more than a month has passed since the fall of Ashraf Ghani's government on August 15, no decision has been taken by the caretaker cabinet about the activities of Afghanistan’s embassies and political missions abroad.

Officials from the Cultural Commission of the Information and Culture Ministry say the Foreign Ministry will soon make a decision in this regard.

Saeed Khosti, a member of the commission, said the diplomats and diplomatic missions cannot operate without consulting the Foreign Ministry in Kabul.

“The diplomatic missions abroad represent the Islamic Emirate and the Foreign Ministry is working on the issue and will make a decision soon,” Khosti said.

Meanwhile, a number of diplomats abroad have said their fate remains unclear and that some of their colleagues are seeking asylum.

The diplomats said they have not received their salaries and other benefits for several months and that it is difficult for them to pay living costs.

“The diplomats abroad are facing numerous challenges. Based on the Foreign Ministry principles, the diplomats should receive their salaries and benefits quarterly, but now they do not have salaries or benefits,” said Zardasht Shams, a former diplomat.

“Based on my information, a number of diplomats in Pakistan are working individually to contact some international organizations such as UNHCR and IOM to register a case so they are taken abroad. On the other hand, the diplomats have not received their salaries for the previous quarter and I do not think they will receive the salaries and other expenses soon to pay for their living costs,” said Abdul Hamid Jalili, a former diplomat.

Meanwhile, a number of diplomats speaking anonymously with TOLOnews said they were supposed to have a virtual conference with the caretaker cabinet Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, but it was cancelled as most of the ambassadors refused to attend.

In the meantime, Afghanistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ghulam Mohammad Ishaqzai, has asked the UN Secretary General to extend his working tenure.

A UN spokesperson told Reuters that Ishaqzai will represent Afghanistan in the UN’s meeting on September 27.