Taliban delegation due in Pakistan ahead of intra-Afghan talks

ISLAMABAD: Amid the extending wait in the initiation of the all-important intra-Afghan dialogue, a Taliban delegation will be landing in Pakistan to discuss the way forward towards the Afghan peace process. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, head of the Afghan Taliban's political office in Doha, will lead the high-level delegation.

It will meet senior leaders of the Imran Khan-led government. "A high-level delegation from the Political Office of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan, led by its Deputy Political Director and Head of the Political Office, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, left for Pakistan today on the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The delegation of the Islamic Emirates will meet with senior Pakistani officials to discuss the Afghan peace process," maintained Suhail Shaheen, spokesperson for the Taliban.

Shaheen added that the delegation will discuss "Afghan refugees in Pakistan and the two neighbouring countries to facilitate public movement and trade and other related issues", will be part of the discussion.

The visit of the Taliban comes at a time when intra-Afghan dialogue process is banking on the release of all the Taliban prisoners in Afghan jails, as announced by the Ashraf Ghani led Afghan government after the Loya Jirga meeting. (IANS)

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