KABUL - After showing a green signal for peace talks, the Taliban have likely selected their seven representatives residing in Qatar to attend peace negotiations with the Afghan government, according to a former Taliban leader.
Former leader of Taliban's Jaish-ul-Muslimeen wing, Syed Akbar Agha, told TOLOnews on Tuesday that the five recently released Gitmo prisoners would also possibly join the group of Taliban negotiators.
"The Taliban have allowed their representatives in Qatar to lead these [peace] talks, and the talks are expected to be commenced soon in coming days," Agha said.
Syed Tayyab Agha and Mawlawi Shahabuddin Dilawar, who were the chief justice and the ambassador to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the Taliban regime, and also Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai and Qari Din Mohammad, are among the negotiators representing the Taliban.
"Taliban have already selected their representatives for the peace talks and they are from seven to eight people," the former Taliban leader revealed.
Reports indicate that the national security advisor, Mohammad Hanif Atmar, who is in Qatar aimed at paving grounds for peace talks, has met the country's premier, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani.
However, the main purpose of Atmar's visit is said to hold meeting with the five members of the Taliban who were released from Guantanamo Bay Jail.
These statements are expressed as President Ashraf Ghani has accelerated peace efforts these days by consulting different groups of the society including the High Peace Council (HPC) members.
Following apparent progress regarding peace talks, Ghani has recently held a telephonic conversation with Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, informing him about the advancements made in this regard.
Welcoming Islamabad's role in bringing Taliban to the peace negotiation table, Ghani hoped the process would begin in near future.
In respect to boosted efforts of Afghanistan for achieving peace, the United States has welcomed the efforts of Afghan government for putting an end to the conflict.
"We certainly remain in support of Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process whereby the Taliban and the Afghans engage in talks to the settlements to resolve the conflicts in Afghanistan," U.S. State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said. "In terms of the role of Pakistan, we have long encouraged Pakistan to support President Ghani's reconciliation efforts; we of course remained in support and in contact with president on these matters as well as certain countries like Pakistan who have a stake in the outcome."
Meanwhile, the Afghan analysts and MPs have also shown their support for the beginning of peace talks with the Taliban, believing it the only way to put an end to the years-long conflict.
"It is expected that these talks will begin in the first week of March," said Moeen Marastyal, deputy head of right and justice party. "The first round of these talks will likely be held in Qatar, second in Afghanistan and the third round in Saudi Arabia." (Tolonews)