Talks underway with Taliban on future govt: Abdullah

KABUL (Pajhwok): Dr. Abdullah Abdullah on Friday said they were engaged in detailed talks with the Taliban over the formation of a new government, but no fundamental talks had begun yet.

The Taliban captured Kabul on Sunday and former president Ashraf Ghani fled the country, saying he did so to avoid bloodshed.

The Taliban now control all of Afghanistan except central Panjsher province.

Simultaneously with the fall of Kabul, former president Hamid Karzai, Dr. Abdullah, chairman of the National High Reconciliation Council, and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of Hezb-e-Islami, formed a coordination council to work for a peaceful transfer of power and hold talks with the Taliban to form the next government.

In a video message with former President Hamid Karzai, Dr. Abdullah said that consultations with political leaders, the Taliban and political figures had begun in Kabul.

Karzai said talks had begun with Taliban leaders in Kabul over the formation of a future government and the talks were being held a friendly environment.

These meetings conferred on the structure and nature of the future government, he said, without elaborating.

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