Pakistan sets stage for revival of peace talks between US-Afghan Taliban in Islamabad

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan (Photo: IANS)


A group of senior Taliban leaders called on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan hours after they arrived in Islamabad, according to report on Friday.

The Taliban delegation was led by the group’s co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Geo news reported.

During Afghan’s meeting, Khan was said to have stressed the need for peace in Afghanistan which he said is key to peace and stability in the region.

He also assured that Islamabad would continue its efforts for peace in Afghanistan.

Earlier in the day, the 12-member Taliban delegation held meetings at the Pakistan Foreign Office.

The Afghan delegation arrived at the Pakistan Foreign Office to meet the Pakistani delegation led by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Pakistan maintained its desire to see peace in Afghanistan and a resolution to the conflict through dialogue.

The Taliban delegation is also expected to meet Prime Minister Imran Khan, which is being seen as an establishment of Pakistan’s importance and undeniable role in the US-Afghan dialogue process, making its presence much more important for Donald Trump.

Earlier in August, US President Donald Trump pulled out of the peace dialogue with the Taliban after an attack in Kabul that claimed the life of an American soldier.

On the other hand, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, is also in Islamabad along with his delegation and is expected to have the first-ever meeting with the Taliban since the talks were cancelled.

Khalilzad has had extensive meetings with the Pakistani leadership, discussing the importance of ensuring peace in Afghanistan and an end to the conflict through the phase-wise withdrawal of the US forces.