Conflicts & War

Taliban diplomatic head to go on first official trip to Pakistan

Islamabad, Nov 9 (EFE).- Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, will travel Wednesday with a high-level delegation to Islamabad to take part in discussions on the situation in the war torn country.

The first official visit by the Taliban minister will be marked by a meeting of the so-called “Troika Plus” that includes Russia, the United States, China and Pakistan to discuss the crisis in Afghanistan.

“Pakistan is hosting the Troika Plus meeting on Nov. 11 in which special representatives for Afghanistan from the US, China and Russia, and the Afghan foreign minister are expected to participate,” a Pakistani foreign ministry official, who asked not to be named, told EFE.

The US Special Representative and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Afghanistan, Thomas West, will be present in the meeting, presided over by Pakistan’s Special Representative on Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, the official added.

Afghan foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi, on his part, confirmed Muttaqi’s attendance at these talks through a statement on Twitter.

“A senior delegation led by FM Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi will travel to Pakistan on Nov 10,” Balkhi said.

Balkhi claimed that consultations with Pakistan will focus on improving ties and dealing with issues related to the economy, migration, refugees, and facilitating the movement of people between the two countries.

Although Pakistan has not yet officially recognized the interim Taliban government, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi invited his Afghan counterpart to visit Pakistan during his first visit to Kabul on Oct.21 after the Islamists seized control of the country on Aug.15.

The special envoys of Pakistan, Russia and China held a meeting on Sep.22 in Kabul with Afghanistan’s prime minister, Mohammad Hasan Akhund, and other Taliban leaders, to ensure peace, stability and an inclusive government on Afghan territory. EFE

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