Afghanistan lashes out at Taliban's 'safe haven' Pakistan | EXCLUSIVE

While Pakistan is hosting both US and Taliban representatives, Afghanistan has taken a strong offence as it believes that alienating the Afghan government is not going to work in anyone's favour. While Afghanistan waits for the results of its elections which were boycotted by the Taliban, the incumbent President's spokesperson Sediq Sediqqi responded to Republic TV, questioning the legitimacy of the meeting.

He emphasised the importance of the Afghan government in the process and said that the “key to peace in the region is with the people and government of Afghanistan” hinting that the Taliban was not the voice of the people.

'Peace is our priority'

"Peace is our priority. A peace process led and owned by the Afghan government will only lead to lasting and dignified peace in Afghanistan. No progress will be imminent if a peace process is not owned and led by the Afghan government", he added. Questioning the outcome of "such meetings" he reminded Pakistan of the several rounds of unsuccessful dialogues in the past while innocent people regularly being killed by Taliban he said that "these meetings don’t get anywhere, these are failed patterns".

READ | Vande Bharat Delhi-Katra Express Launched: Here's All You Need To Know

Mr. Sediqqi also lashed out at Pakistan for its double standards on peace processes accusing the country of being a safe haven for the Taliban. He said, “we hope that Pakistanis take actions against the safe havens of the Taliban that are inside Pakistan, that would help regional security and stability".

READ | Air India Waives Off Charges On Patna Flights Till Oct 3 Due To Floods

A delegation of several high profile Taliban leaders headed by Abdul Ghani Bardar reached Pakistan in what is seen as an attempt to restore dialogue between the United States and the Taliban. The reason it is seen as an effort to resurrect US-Taliban talks is that US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad is also on a visit to Pakistan and both the parties are expected to stay there for a while and have not ruled out a possible meeting.

Abdul Ghani Bardar who handles the political affairs of the group is joined by nine other members who are believed to have been a part of the US-Taliban negotiation team. Taliban leaders who are staying in Islamabad met Pakistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Sources say that the meeting was held to provide a push to the diplomatic engagements between the United States and Taliban after President Trump halted the talks which were believed to be on the cusp of reaching a conclusion.

READ | PM Modi Says Only Railways Creates More Jobs Than Ayushman Bharat Will

READ | Rohit Sharma Gets Pat On Back From Virat Kohli Post Magnificent Knock