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Gov’t, Taliban conduct first VC over prisoner release
For the first time, the representatives of the Afghan government and the Taliban shared views via video conference on how to release the prisoners.
The National Security Council reporting the first call between the government representatives and the Taliban said that they have negotiated with the Taliban over releasing prisoners, violence reduction, Intra-Afghan Talks, and ceasefire over the call.
Jawid Faisal, the spokesperson of NSC, said, “In this video call, both sides talked about reducing violence against Afghans, direct talks and long-lasting ceasefire. The video call lasted for two and a half hours, and the technicality of releasing the prisoners was negotiated.”
However, the political office of the Taliban in Qatar said that only the technicality of the prisoner release was negotiated in the video conference.
Sayed Akbar Agha, a former member of the Taliban, said, “In this call, only the release of the prisoners was negotiated.”
This comes as Zalmay Khalilzad welcomed these talks in a tweet saying that both the laterals had technical and serious discussions over releasing prisoners.
Khalilzad’s tweet: “The over two-hour technical discussion today was important, serious, and detailed. My thanks to all sides. Everyone clearly understands the coronavirus threat makes prisoner releases that much more urgent.”
This comes as the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement called these talks productive and fruitful saying that the laterals discussed the prisoner release, its list, and place.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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