ISLAMABAD – Afghan Taliban who has been fighting against the Afghangovernment and its foreign allies have constantly said that they will nevertalk to the government in Kabul while they brand it as “puppet”administration.
But, aside from what the group wants to say when it comes to negotiationswith the Afghan government, there is a perception in Afghanistan thatTaliban has not enough freedom to engage in intra-Afghan talks due to theregional influence on the group.
A senior official in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktia province saidTaliban is “not independent” in the talks with the US and that somecountries in the region are leading their negotiations.
“Taliban cannot make a decision without consultation with Pakistan, Iranand Russia,” Paktia Governor Shamim Katawazai said. “Why Taliban is nottalking to the Afghan government if they are sovereign?” he asked.
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Security officials in Paktia said last week that military operations willbe ramped up against Taliban hideouts in the southeast regions ofAfghanistan.
