Both sides of the peace negotiations in Doha were expected to begin“serious talks” on Wednesday, according to Reconciliation Council chiefAbdullah Abdullah, but sources said that meetings have been delayed for twodays.

The sources said that the Taliban has asked for two days to discuss the28-article demand list of the Afghan republic’s negotiating team. But amember of the Taliban’s negotiating team in Qatar said that the two-daytime period was proposed by both sides.

The two sides have held three consecutive meetings this week at the workinggroup level to discuss the agenda of the peace negotiations after havingreached an agreement on the procedural rules for the talks.

“We hope that the Taliban consider the problems of the country and showflexibility and reach an agreement so that we become united,” said QaziMohammad Amin Waqad, former deputy head of the High Peace Council.

Wednesday is International Anti-Corruption Day, and officials said theyhope to eradicate corruption once a peace deal is achieved.

“We hope to remove the main root of corruption and smuggling once there isprogress in the peace process,” Second Vice President Sarwar Danesh said.

The Taliban’s 22-article proposal aims to include mentions in the agenda ofthe talks that many freedoms, like women’s freedom, should be based onIslamic teachings, however, it is unclear how the Taliban would define such.

“We don’t have a clear definition from the Islamic laws that they (Taliban)are talking about because so far they have not mentioned in anynegotiations that they have stepped back from their previous stance onwomen’s rights,” said Farida Mohmand, a member of the High Council forNational Reconciliation.

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