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Afghan Taliban leaders in Pakistan to discuss "refugees problems"

Xinhua, October 22, 2016 Adjust font size:

Three senior Afghan Taliban representatives from the Qatar political office are "involved in talks" with Pakistani officials about the "refugees problems," the Taliban spokesman Zabihuallah Mujahid said on Saturday.

Taliban confirmed last week the arrest of four leaders, including Ahmadullah Muti alias Mullah Nanai, who heads the Taliban courts, from Pakistan southwestern Balochistan province. Nanai also served as intelligence chief under Mullah Akhtar Mansour and is currently heading the Taliban judiciary.

Mujahid told the media that the visit has no link with the reported talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government in Qatar.

Reports suggest that the delegation from the Qatar office arrived in Pakistan two days ago.

The Taliban delegation is comprised of Maulvi Shahabuddin Dilawar, Maulvi Salam Hanafi and Jan Muhammad.

Pakistan has arrested Suleman Agha, the Taliban governor for Daykund province, Mullah Sani, also known as Samad Sani, chief of a religious school and a well-known trader, and Hamas, a leader of the Haqqani network, according to Taliban officials.

The local media quoted unnamed Taliban officials as saying peace process could also be on the agenda and that the Taliban representatives will apprise the Pakistani officials of their recent interaction with the Afghan and American officials in Qatar.

Although the Taliban and the Afghan government have not officially confirmed the Qatar meeting, both sides have unofficially confirmed the "informal meeting."

Mullah Abdul Manan, brother of Mullah Omar, had led the Taliban side in the meeting with the Afghan and American representatives this month.

It is the second visit of the Taliban leaders to Pakistan in seven months. The Taliban political representatives visited Pakistan in April for looking into the prospects for the peace talks. However, the Taliban deadliest attack in Kabul in April derailed the process. Endit