Taliban, led by Baradar, meet Premier, laud Pakistan's peace efforts

Taliban chief negotiator Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar (L) in Moscow, Russia and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan (R) in Washington, US.– File Photo.

ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Taliban, led by the group’s co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan, media reported.

The 12-member delegation of senior Taliban leaders met PM Imran hours after they arrived in Islamabad. They lauded Pakistan’s efforts for peace and stability.

During the meeting, the PM and the Taliban delegation discussed the Afghan peace process, the United States, resumption of dialogue, and regional peace and stability.

The PM, on the other hand, stressed the need for peace in Afghanistan, which he termed was crucial for the regional stability. He also assured that Pakistan would continue its efforts for peace in Kabul.

Earlier in the day, the 12-member Taliban delegation — part of the group’s political commission — had held meetings at Pakistan’s Foreign Office, with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi calling for a resumption of peace talks pertaining to the Afghanistan war with the US.

Pakistan wished for the talks to resume “to smooth the path for a durable, long-lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan”, Qureshi was quoted as saying in a statement.

“War is not a solution to any problem. Talks are the only and positive solution to establish peace in Afghanistan,” he added.