Taliban Delegation Visits Saudi Arabia for Talks with Pakistani Officials
Reliable sources have told TOLOnews that a delegation from the Taliban administration has traveled to Saudi Arabia to participate in negotiations with a Pakistani delegation. According to these reports, Saudi Arabia is acting as a mediator in the discussions.
The delegation includes Anas Haqqani, a prominent figure in the Haqqani Network; Rahmatullah Najib, Deputy Minister of Interior for the Taliban administration; and Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for the Taliban Foreign Ministry. These officials have begun meetings with Pakistani representatives in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
Sources have not provided further details about the official agenda of the trip, but information obtained from individuals close to the negotiations indicates that the primary goal of these meetings is to reduce recent tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.
Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have historically been tense, worsening since the Taliban’s return to power, with increased disputes over borders and the presence of armed groups. However, direct dialogue between the two sides, facilitated by a third country, may signal an attempt to find a diplomatic solution.
The Taliban administration has previously sought regional diplomatic engagement to gain international recognition. Yet, neighboring countries and the global community continue to express serious concerns about the group’s legitimacy, conduct, and internal policies.
