Will regard Pakistan as brother if in power: Afghan Taliban

Islamabad: Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid has said that they will approach Pakistan “as a brother and neighbour”, seeking “comprehensive ties based on mutual respect”, if they end up having a say in the Afghan polity one day. In an exclusive interview to Dawn news, Mujahid acknowledged that Pakistan had remained “the most important hub” for Afghan refugees during the Soviet invasion, and that it was even considered a “second home” by Afghans.

In the interview, he also outlined the motivation for talks with the US, the conditions in which they are prepared to negotiate and their vision for a new political order, while insisting that the Taliban are holding talks with Washington “on their own initiative”. “There is no role being played by any outside country. This has always been our own initiative and policy.” Mujahid said that even prior to the US invasion in 2001, the Taliban had asked Washington to engage in dialogue instead of war. (IANS)

Also Read: International News