Taliban delegation from Qatar visits China for talks

PESHAWAR: A high-level Taliban delegation from their Qatar political bureau visited China recently and held talks with Chinese officials on different issues, sources said Friday.

According to a dispatch of the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP), it was the first visit of a Taliban delegation to any country after the installation of Maulvi Haibatullah Akhundzada as the new Taliban amir.

“The delegation visited China for discussion on issues related to Afghanistan and China. The delegation discussed adopting a joint stand against occupation in the region and malicious policies of occupational countries. Talks were also held on Islamic Emirate policy on the region and world,” a Taliban official, who wished not to be named, divulged to AIP.

Asked if the visit was made on the invitation of China or demand of the Taliban, he said: “Numerous countries want to have meeting with Islamic Emirate. The Islamic Emirate wants good relations with the neighbours and countries of the world. The Chinese officials’ demand was included in the visit. Both the Islamic Emirate and Chinese officials discussed the recent changes.”

Similar visits and meeting may also be held with other countries because the Islamic Emirate is trying to make their stance clear to the world, he added.The Taliban representative did not disclose names of the members of the delegation.

Qari Hamza, spokesman for Taliban breakaway group Fidayee Mahaz, meanwhile, told AIP that the delegation comprised of two Taliban leaders, Sher Muhammad Abbas and Mullah Abbas.He said the Taliban team visited China on July 18 and returned to Qatar on July 22.

Sher Muhammad Abbas Stanekzai was appointed as head of Taliban’s Qatar political bureau last year after Tayab Agha stepped down.China is a member of Quadrilateral Contact Group (QCG) on Afghanistan peace and reconciliation process.

A two-member Taliban delegation had also visited China in November. Afghan diplomat calls on governor: Afghan Consul General Dr. Abdullah Waheed Poyan called on Governor Engr. Iqbal Zafar Jhagra here at Governor’s House on Friday.

According to an official handout, he remained with the governor for some time. Both discussed matters of mutual interest with particular reference of Afghan refugees in the province and situation in the region.

During the meeting, the governor apprised the Afghan consul general about the steps being taken to ensure provision of the facilities to legal Afghan refugees. He assured the diplomat that all possible facilities would be provided to the refugees.