Cross-border terrorism row: Afghan Taliban, Pakistan diplomats meet in Doha

DOHA: In a fresh diplomatic engagement after Islamabad announced an operation against Afghanistan-based terrorists, an Afghan Taliban delegation, headed by Afghan interim government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, met with Pakistani diplomats on the sidelines of the Doha-III conference. The Afghan interim government’s representatives are currently visiting Doha to attend talks to “discuss increasing engagement with Afghanistan and a more coordinated response to the country, including economic issues and counter-narcotics efforts”.

They were due to meet UN officials and over 20 envoys, including the US special representative to Afghanistan, as the international community grapples with its approach to Kabul’s new rulers., according to Reuters.

During their visit, Pakistani Ambassador to Qatar Muhammad Aejaz hosted a dinner for the Afghan Taliban delegation at his residence in Doha, which was attended by senior diplomats, including Pakistan’s Special Representative on Afghanistan Asif Durrani and the country’s Deputy Head of Mission in Kabul Ubaid Ur Rehman Nizamani.

Durrani posted photos of the occasion on X (formerly Twitter) while welcoming and hosting the Taliban representatives where they discussed developments at the “Doha-III conference, bilateral and regional issues”.

The Pakistani envoy to Qatar also reacted to the recent meeting on X, saying: “Very delighted to have hosted tonight the AIG [Afghanistan interim government] and Pakistan delegations attending the Doha-III [conference].”

“Both remain neighbours and brothers and have a lot in common, including a strong desire for regional peace and security,” Aejaz added. It was an “unusual meeting” between both sides, diplomatic sources told Geo News, adding that the Taliban representatives also met an Indian delegation in Doha. The sources said that the latest diplomatic engagement was held in a “positive environment” in which the representatives of Afghan interim government thanked Islamabad for supporting Kabul’s stance in the Doha conference, as well as the latter’s backing on a national level.

Mujahid wrote on the microblogging website about the meeting, “We had a very good evening meeting with Pakistan’s special representative Asif Durrani, the ambassador and consuls in Doha. We thank them for their hospitality and hope for good and constructive relations for both countries.”