Afghan Taliban postpone Pakistan talks owing to travel restrictions

DOHA: A delegation of the Afghan Taliban, which was scheduled to arrive in Islamabad today (Monday), has postponed its visit owing to travel restrictions.

A statement issued by the Afghan Taliban stated a delegation was scheduled to arrive in Islamabad but most of the members of its negotiating team are unable to travel because they are subject to US and UN sanctions, according to a foreign news agency. However, no further details were shared.

The delegation was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Imran Khan,  US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad and other officials. 

On Sunday, Afghanistan issued a protest to the UN Security Council over the planned visit. In a letter to the Security Council, the Afghan UN mission wrote that the Taliban-Pakistan meeting "constitutes a violation of the national sovereignty of Afghanistan."

"These engagements, which are taking place under the pretext of support for peace efforts in Afghanistan, are void of any degree of coordination and consultation with the government of Afghanistan," it said.

Last week week, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry  had confirmed that the next round of peace talks between the Taliban and the United States will be held in Pakistan as part of efforts to seek a political settlement of the 17-year Afghan war.