Context
Media reports indicate that Taliban have shared with Pakistani officials the ‘functional blueprint’ for talks with the US. The purpose of informing Pakistan was said to make it comfortable on the agenda of talks. Pakistan’s foreign minister is scheduled to visit Kabul next month and will discuss the peace talks with President Karzai and other Afghan officials.
Meanwhile, former Taliban envoy to Pakistan, Mullah Zaeef, showed his disapproval of Pakistan’s engagement in the peace talks. He said this would encourage Iran, India and other neighbors to also get involved in rivalry, which Afghanistan cannot afford. He said the country should be allowed to make the decision independently, while others should extend their support to the Afghan-led peace process.
