A trip of Taliban delegation to Pakistan has caused a new rift between Presidential Palace and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the first condemned Islamabad’s invitation and warm welcome of Taliban representatives, but the letter phrased the move.
A Taliban team, led by the group’s political office head Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, is currently in Pakistan, where it met Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and America’s top peace negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad.
On Thursday, presidential spokesman Sidiq Sidiqi told a press conference that Pakistan’s invitation to the Taliban and the warm welcome they received was against diplomatic norms.
The spokesman said Afghanistan had repeatedly asked Pakistan to destroy Taliban safe havens on its soil and play a positive role in Afghan peace and regional stability.
He added peace and stability would continue to elude Afghanistan until militant safe havens and training centers are dismantled in Pakistan.
Hours after Sidiqi’s statement, Foreign Ministry spokesman Sibghatullah Ahmadi shared a statement on Twitter, hailing Pakistan’s efforts for peace.
“Regional and international efforts have increased for the Afghan peace process and we welcome them,” he added.
After two days, presidential spokesman Sidiqi tweeted: “The policy on peace is announced by the Presidential Palace. MFA spokesman’s latest comments on the Taliban-Pakistan meeting or peace process don’t reflect the Afghan government’s views…”
In a response to Sediqi’s tweet, MoF’s Ahmadi said: “I also have at all times and solely expressed the official stance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan”.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the sole implementer of the country’s foreign policy and the entity reflecting on the position of the government, continues to support the peace process and efforts.
Videos on news outlets and social media show the Taliban delegation being warmly greeted by Pakistani leaders. The Taliban are seen giving gifts to their hosts.
