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Afghan delegation travels to Pakistan for Taliban talks Afghan delegation travels to Pakistan for Taliban talks
(35 minutes later)
An Afghan peace delegation arrived in the Pakistani capital on Tuesday for what officials described as “negotiations with the Taliban” even as Kabul was hit by two separate suicide attacks.An Afghan peace delegation arrived in the Pakistani capital on Tuesday for what officials described as “negotiations with the Taliban” even as Kabul was hit by two separate suicide attacks.
Few details were made public save for a Twitter post from the office of Afghan president Ashraf Ghani saying the group comprised members of the High Peace Council, a body set up in five years ago to negotiate with the Taliban.Few details were made public save for a Twitter post from the office of Afghan president Ashraf Ghani saying the group comprised members of the High Peace Council, a body set up in five years ago to negotiate with the Taliban.
A delegation from the High Peace Council of Afghanistan has traveled to Pakistan for negotiations with the Taliban.
While Pakistan’s foreign office spokesman said he knew nothing about the talks, an intelligence official said discussions between the two sides would take place over iftar – the sunset meal that for Muslims marks the end of a day’s fast during the month of Ramadan.While Pakistan’s foreign office spokesman said he knew nothing about the talks, an intelligence official said discussions between the two sides would take place over iftar – the sunset meal that for Muslims marks the end of a day’s fast during the month of Ramadan.
The evening talks were set to take place after another day of bloodshed in Kabul where a suicide car bomber targeted a NATO vehicle, injuring three people. Later in the day one guard was killed at an office of the Afghan spy agency when three insurgents attempted to storm the building.The evening talks were set to take place after another day of bloodshed in Kabul where a suicide car bomber targeted a NATO vehicle, injuring three people. Later in the day one guard was killed at an office of the Afghan spy agency when three insurgents attempted to storm the building.
The latest attacks of an already bloody summer highlighted the urgency with which President Ghani has been pursuing efforts to open talks with the Taliban.The latest attacks of an already bloody summer highlighted the urgency with which President Ghani has been pursuing efforts to open talks with the Taliban.
Although most observers agree only a political settlement can reduce the violence Ghani has been severely criticised at home for his attempts to enlist the support of Pakistan to help broker talks with the Taliban as many Afghans hold the country responsible for backing the Taliban in the first place.Although most observers agree only a political settlement can reduce the violence Ghani has been severely criticised at home for his attempts to enlist the support of Pakistan to help broker talks with the Taliban as many Afghans hold the country responsible for backing the Taliban in the first place.
That Tuesday’s talks were due to be held in Islamabad could help Ghani answer some of his domestic critics who have argued his tilt towards Pakistan has failed to produce results.That Tuesday’s talks were due to be held in Islamabad could help Ghani answer some of his domestic critics who have argued his tilt towards Pakistan has failed to produce results.
Ghani’s government was particularly criticised for signing an intelligence sharing agreement with Pakistan’s spy agency, which is especially hated in Afghanistan.Ghani’s government was particularly criticised for signing an intelligence sharing agreement with Pakistan’s spy agency, which is especially hated in Afghanistan.
A Pakistani official said the Afghan delegation included deputy foreign minister Hekmat Karzai, a nephew of former president Hamid Karzai who has become a fierce behind the scenes critic of Ghani’s efforts to improve relations with Pakistan.A Pakistani official said the Afghan delegation included deputy foreign minister Hekmat Karzai, a nephew of former president Hamid Karzai who has become a fierce behind the scenes critic of Ghani’s efforts to improve relations with Pakistan.
There were no details about who comprised the Taliban delegation.There were no details about who comprised the Taliban delegation.
Afghan government officials have met members of the Taliban before but the movement has never acknowledged them as anything more than informal contacts.Afghan government officials have met members of the Taliban before but the movement has never acknowledged them as anything more than informal contacts.
After Pakistan’s national security adviser revealed last month that the two sides had held talks in the Chinese city of Urumqi the Taliban’s spokesman insisted those involved had not been authorised to speak on behalf of the movement.After Pakistan’s national security adviser revealed last month that the two sides had held talks in the Chinese city of Urumqi the Taliban’s spokesman insisted those involved had not been authorised to speak on behalf of the movement.
In recent weeks Pakistan itself has warned of the limits of any negotiation given the Taliban is split, with field commanders increasingly unwilling to accept orders from a leadership based outside Afghanistan.In recent weeks Pakistan itself has warned of the limits of any negotiation given the Taliban is split, with field commanders increasingly unwilling to accept orders from a leadership based outside Afghanistan.
Further complicating any potential peace process is the rise of a wing of Islamic State in Afghanistna which has succeeded in attracting the support of disillusioned Taliban fighters.Further complicating any potential peace process is the rise of a wing of Islamic State in Afghanistna which has succeeded in attracting the support of disillusioned Taliban fighters.
By being seen to talk to the Afghan government the Taliban could risk losing more men to Islamic State, some analysts have warned.By being seen to talk to the Afghan government the Taliban could risk losing more men to Islamic State, some analysts have warned.