Upcoming U.S.-Taliban Qatar Talks to ‘Make a Call’ on Troop Pullout

The U.S. and the Taliban representatives to make a final decision on three key issues including the American troop pullout from Afghanistan in their meeting in Doha on February 25, the Taliban sources said Saturday.

The Taliban sources told Ariana News that the U.S. and Taliban join committees were expected to finalize a draft on three issues including a mechanism for withdrawal of the U.S., removal of the security threats against the U.S. and its allies from Afghanistan and a ceasefire.

According to the sources, the upcoming two-day U.S.-Taliban meeting in Qatar would make a final call on these issues.

This comes as the Taliban negotiating team is also expected to meet with the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad in Islamabad on February 18.

A source close to the Taliban said that the agenda of the meeting would focus on the release of two American professors and the some key Taliban members including Anas Haqqani, as well as the Afghan government’s inclusion in peace talks with the Taliban.

“Anas Haqqani might get released after the meeting and it is possible,” the source said.

However. in response to the Taliban talks in Islamabad, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said that the meeting is more of a show and the Afghan government is not part of the talks’ agenda.