28 April 2016

News Story: Afghan Taliban confirm leaders' visit to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Afghan Taliban on Wednesday confirmed a visit of its leaders to Pakistan but said they are discussing the issue of Afghan refugees, the release of a senior leader and other prisoners.

The Taliban Qatar office did not say whether the delegation will discuss peace process.

A three-member delegation had arrived in Islamabad from its Qatar-based office on Monday to discuss with Pakistan the possibility of the peace talks, diplomatic and official sources had said.

Afghan officials in Kabul had earlier stated they are aware of the visit but no meeting with the Taliban in Pakistan is planned.

"Since the Afghan people have close relations, long border and commercial transactions with neighboring country Pakistan and a large number of our countrymen are living there as refugees, therefore, the Political Office of the Islamic Emirate has decided to send a high level delegation to Islamabad," the Taliban Qatar office said. The Taliban use the name of Islamic Emirate they had used during their rule (1996-2001).

Read the full story at Xinhua