US awaits formal invitation for talks with Taliban

WASHINGTON: Hours after Pakistan said that it’s hosting the US-Taliban talks next week, the State Department here confirmed that it’s yet to receive a formal invitation. “While we have noted the Taliban’s public announcement, we have not received a formal invitation to any talks,” a State Department spokesperson told the Geo News.

Answering a question about the facility provided by Pakistan, the department expressed appreciation by all parties to resolve the issue. It further said, “The US supports all steps that would lead to a genuine intra-Afghan dialogue that includes the Afghan government, the Taliban, and other Afghans and encourages all countries to support this peace process.” The department maintained that the US was not going to negotiate in public.

“This is the beginning of a long process which we continue to work through private diplomatic channels,” the department response said. The Taliban on Wednesday said its negotiators would meet next the top US and Pakistani officials including Prime Minister Imran Khan during a key round of talks in Islamabad as part of the ongoing Afghan peace talks.

Taliban spokesperson zabiullah Mujahid said the regular round of talks was already scheduled to be held on February 25 in Qatar.