Afghan Taliban likely to meet MBS in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is likely to meet Afghan Taliban representatives during his visit to Pakistan starting today (Sunday), a security official said.

The Taliban announced a few days ago their delegation would be visiting Pakistan on February 18 to meet Prime Minister Imran Khan.

They also announced that they would be holding peace talks with the United States in Pakistan on February 18. They however had not announced names of their negotiation team supposed to visit Pakistan for peace talks with the US in Islamabad and meeting Prime Minister Imran Khan. Taliban sources in Qatar said it is not in the plan yet but there are strong indications that they would meet Mohammad bin Salman and his delegation members during visit of Pakistan. The Taliban suspect that some of the powers might try to derail the ongoing peace process initiated with the US.

Pakistan has been playing an increasingly vital role in the Afghanistan peace talks, which is gathering momentum in the recent months amid a growing US desire to pull out its troops. Along with other Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia is part of the peace negotiations. Two senior Pakistani officials said the crown prince is likely to meet the Afghan Taliban representatives in Islamabad. “Though it is top secret so far, there are strong indications representatives of the Afghan Taliban will meet Prince Salman during their visit of Pakistan on February 18,” one of the Pakistani officials in Islamabad said.

The crown prince is expected to leave Pakistan tomorrow (Monday) after signing a raft of investment agreements in the energy sector for more than $10 billion. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan said in an interview with Saudi Gazette said Saudi Arabia is very close to our heart in every respect. “It is only natural that Pakistan would always like to see it prosper in the most peaceful environment within and around its boundaries.

We have always said if the Holy Cities of Islam are threatened, Pakistan would go all out to defend the Holy Cities,” Imran Khan said. The premier said the visit of the crown prince is a manifestation of the strength of this relationship. “First, the crown prince’s visit will strengthen the diplomatic support of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan and will reinforce our relations. Second, I am confident that the economic relations of the two countries will be further expanded by identifying new avenues of investment and as well as joint ventures between the two countries. Third, it would further our mutual trust and strong historical relations,” Imran Khan said, the visit will go a long way in laying a foundation of strategic and economic relations that has been the hallmark of the two brotherly countries. “The generous deposit of $3 billion and supply of oil on deferred payment is reflective of the desire of the Kingdom to see a strong, vibrant and prosperous Pakistan,” he said.

Imran said all aspects of bilateral, regional and global issues, ranging from bilateral cooperation in the economic, diplomatic, political arenas to collaboration in regional peace and stability, especially of relevance to the Muslim Ummah will be discussed during the visit of the crown prince. “In the diplomatic sphere, the two nations can join hands to effectively mobilise the international community for an amicable resolution of festering disputes such as Kashmir and Palestine,” he said. Imran Khan said Saudi Arabia as one of the leading producers of oil, has tremendous experience in the energy market, which could benefit Pakistan in its quest for developing much needed resources of energy.

He said the investment in Gwadar alone would be the most important contributor towards making Pakistan self-reliant in this sector. He said the Saudi oil refinery planned in Gwadar would help boost local production and local energy market. “The exchange of skills and transfer of technology and best practices would enhance competition and increase the productivity of our local refineries. It would also complement the projects under the CPEC. This, of course, is just the beginning of our cooperation and we would like to build upon the successes of this project to further expand cooperation in other areas as well,” he said.

Meanwhile, arrangements have been finalised for a rousing welcome to the crown prince and extraordinary security and protocol measures have been taken in Islamabad. The government is rescheduling flights, blocking-off luxury hotels. The prime minister along with his cabinet members will warmly receive the dignitary at the airport. A red carpet will also be rolled out at the PM House where the crown prince will be presented with a guard of honour.

Islamabad is hoping to sign a raft of investment deals and other agreements during the two-day visit which will include talks with Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Banners heralding the crown prince are already lining the streets of the capital. Police, the armed forces, and the Saudi Royal Guards will provide security, a senior Islamabad police official said. The capital’s red zone is to be sealed off, while the Civil Aviation Authority has been told to reschedule flights during the prince’s arrival and departure.

Authorities in the capital said two five-star hotels had been ordered to cancel all advance bookings as the rooms will be reserved for the prince’s entourage. Earlier in the week, the crown prince’s personal belongings — including luxury vehicles and his own gym — were flown to Pakistan in two C130 aeroplanes.