KABUL have confirmed sending a delegation to Islamabad for talks on some topics, but denied any peace making with the Afghan government was on the agenda.
International media reported that senior members of the Taliban’s Qatar-based political bureau met Pakistani security officials last week ahead of possible peace parleys with the Afghan government.
The three-member Taliban delegation that visited Islamabad included Maulvi minister Mullah Abdul Salam.
A leading British newspaper said the Taliban diplomats left Doha on Wednesday for talks with Pakistani officials. “The visiting Afghan Taliban delegation will discuss various topics, including peace talks, and share the latest information with Pakistan.”
Taliban and the Americans reportedly held many rounds of talks in Doha, making some headway. According to the influential newspaper, the Taliban are optimistic of a breakthrough, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada also wants to expedite dialogue with Kabul and Washington.
Meanwhile, Associated Press also said the trio travelled to Pakistan this week for a series of meetings with officials in Islamabad on recent contacts in Qatar with representatives of the Ghani administration. Ambassador Omar Zakhilwal confirmed the meetings. However, he declined giving details.
But Taliban’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the three-member delegation discussed with Pakistani officials issues being faced by Afghan refugees in the neighbouring country. The aim of the visit was to discuss arrest and harassment of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, he said.
He said the Doha-based delegation was also expected to discuss with Pakistani officials the reportedly closure of a number of schools and seminaries of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
“The visit of the delegation was part of routine political visits to foreign countries. Similar visits had taken place in the past to various countries including Pakistan at different times,” Mujahid explained.
He said the delegation visiting Pakistan had no other topic on the agenda as reported by some media outlets. He said no political issues or talks had been discussed by the delegation.
Meanwhile, Adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said he was “not aware” if any delegation of the Afghan Taliban coming to Pakistan in relation to peace talks with the government in Kabul.
Speaking to DawnNews, Aziz said: “Delegations keep coming, they have come in the past but right now there is no confirmation on the matter.”
He said everyone was trying for peace in Afghanistan and if there is consensus on how to take the dialogue forward, the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) – the four-nation group working for reconciliation in Afghanistan – could be approached.
When asked if he saw the Afghan Taliban becoming a part of the government in Kabul in the future, Aziz said that remains to be seen, adding that a lot of steps will have to be taken before that stage could be reached.
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