Karzai says Mullah Baradar’s presence in talks ‘crucial’

KABUL Baradar’s participation in the fifth round peace negotiations with US representatives in Qatar as a good omen and important.

The fifth round of peace talks between Taliban and US representatives resumed in Doha, the Qatari capital today (Tuesday).

A statement from the ex-president Karzai office to Pajhwok Afghan News said that Karzai was hopeful that the ongoing Afghan conflict and crisis would be solved through an intra-Afghan dialogue and lasting peace would prevail in the country.

Participation of Mullah Baradar as a Taliban leading figure would be crucial in the ongoing Qatar talks.

Earlier, the insurgent group confirmed Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who would lead the Taliban negotiating team, had arrived in Qatar on a private plane.

US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad wrote on his Twitter account: “Just finished a working lunch with Mullah Baradar and his team. First time we have met and now moving on to talks.”

Baradar, the co-founder and head of the Taliban’s political council, was freed from jail by Pakistani authorities last year. The US and the Afghan government had demanded his release.

The Qatari foreign minister sent a special plane for Baradar and three other senior members of their political council to fly them to Doha.

pk/ma

Views: 7