Inclusive govt to be formed within days: Mujahid

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): The Taliban hope an inclusive government in Afghanistan will be announced within a few days, as consultations on the issue continue.

The Taliban were averse to war in Panjsher province, the movement’s spokesman said, explaining they had surrounded the valley.

In an interview with Pakistan’s private TV channel Geo News on Saturday night, Zabihullah Mujahid said the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) issue should be resolved by Islamabad, not Afghanistan.

Hectic efforts were ongoing for the formation of a new broad-based government in Afghanistan, but some minor obstacles were delaying the process.

“First of all, entering Kabul all of a sudden and taking over like this was unanticipated. We desire to hold wide-ranging talks on the formation of a government,” he remarked.

Talks were underway on all aspects of a new administration, he said, hoping the Taliban make a formal announcement in this regard within a few days.

Asked if Abdul Rashid Dostum would be included in the new set-up, he replied: “The people who have been part of the government over the last 20 years have worked for Afghanistan to some extent. However, they don’t enjoy overwhelming public support.”

On anti-Taliban resistance led by Ahmed Wali Massoud in Panjsher, Mujahid said the Taliban were 60 percent hopeful the issue would be addressed through talks.

“We have consulted ulema and former jihadi leaders, and a regular exchange of messages is taking place,” the Taliban spokesman explained.

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