Detainees Swap Hinders Peace Talks: Taliban
by Mohammad Haroon AlimAt least 100 Taliban members are still held in prison by the Afghan government, the Taliban claimed, which hinders the implementation of peace talks.
While the group blames Afghan government for impeding Intra-Afghan negotiations, the country’s negotiating members said they are ready to move to Doha anytime as soon as Taliban give a green signal for the talks.
Mohammad Naeem Wardak spokesperson for the Taliban’s political office, told Aljazeera, that there are 100 remaining members left in the prisons, but they are assured they will be released soon.
He added the Taliban have asked the US government to stand on the implementation of their side of the agreement.
“They keep giving us various reasons for the delay. We are ready to talk as soon as the prisoner release is complete”, Wardak said in accordance with the U.S-Taliban agreement.
Javid Faisal, spokesperson to Afghan National Security Council, said to the press, the government has released all of the detainees and the Taliban should stop making excuses, and should move forward to the quick start of Intra-Afghan talks.
Meanwhile, Zalmay Khalilzad, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation met with the Taliban delegations in Qatar Monday, the meeting was aimed at immediate start of the Intra-Afghan talks and the release of detainees.
The Afghan government is said to have still detained some Taliban members with serious charges.
Early Reports indicate, these high profile detainees will be sent to Doha and will remain under the watch of the officials.
Author
Mohammad Haroon Alim holds a BBA degree from Kardan University. He works as a sub-editor for Khaama Press.