Afghan Taliban delegation in Pakistan

A Taliban delegation from Afghanistan has arrived in Pakistan, raising speculation of resumption of peace talks that were cut earlier this year.

The militant group’s political bureau based in Qatar confirmed the delegation’s visit to Pakistan, but ruled out the resumption of the talks with Afghan officials.

"Our delegation has traveled from Qatar to Pakistan to discuss the problem of Afghan refugees and some schools recently closed there," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told media on Saturday.

"The reports that they are in Pakistan for peace talks is completely untrue," he said.

Afghanistan's Ambassador to Islamabad Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal acknowledged the Taliban delegation's visit but gave no further details.

The Afghan Foreign Ministry, however, said it was unaware that a Taliban delegation was in Pakistan.

"The Taliban should be banned from travelling to regional countries. But if they have done so to pursue peace, this should be explained," said Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman Shekib Mustakhni.

The Taliban visit to Pakistan follows a recent report revealing two secret meetings held between the militants and Afghan government officials.

In the past, Pakistan hosted several rounds of peace talks to end the conflict in Afghanistan which yielded little success.

The peace talks reached a complete halt when a US drone killed former Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in May.

The Taliban's newly-appointed leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, pledged that he would not enter into any peace talks with Kabul.

SS