Afghan Taliban seek major role in caretaker Afghan government: Sources
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ISLAMABAD – After having spent 17 years in Afghanistan, Washington is rushing to sign a peace pact with the Taliban to bring an end to the long-standing war, it has emerged.
Currently, Afghan Taliban and US are enagged in dialogue in Qatar for which Pakistan is playing a pivotal role, however, the Trump administration is eyeing a swift end to the conflict that has dealt a blow to US economy and society as well.
The latest round of negotiations took place on Monday and reports are rife that the US is now in a hurry for a fruitful conclusion.
According to sources close to the developments, US wanted Taliban to announce a six-month ceasefire, join the national unity government that is to be installed in future and become part of the Afghan political system.
In return, Taliban want the US to release all their prisoners, lift ban on movement of their leaders from the blacklist and announce a deadline for withdrawal from Afghanistan.
A source close to the Afghan Taliban explained that currently, 95 per cent of the attacks on US and Afghan forces are being carried out by the Taliban and a ceasefire would benefit US and Kabul regime, not the Taliban.
He continued that Taliban would like to oblige Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Pakistan but it would not be an easy job to announce a ceasefire at the moment.
On the other hand, Taliban sources said they could announce a ceasefire if Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and UAE become the guarantors and the future caretaker government is given to someone nominated by the Taliban.
Afghan Taliban Spokesman has strongly denied reports that Taliban delegation would also be meeting with the Afghan government confirming that UAE, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were also participating in the peace talks.
A five-member Taliban delegation, headed by Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanakzai, head of Taliban political office in Qatar, went from Qatar while four senior Taliban leaders, including Ameer Khan Muttaqi, Mullah Abbas Akhund, Hafiz Yahya and Maulvi Siddiqullah had traveled from Afghanistan for holding direct talks with the US.
