KABUL, Afghanistan – A delegation of the Islamic Clerics of Pakistan led by Muhammad Taqi Usmani, a well-known Pakistani Islamic scholar, met with the leaders of the Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Kabul, according to sources.
During the meeting with the delegation, TTP repeated their demands – including the release of its members from the Pakistani prisons – saying they won’t compromise in their demands, the sources said.
“Yesterday, the delegation of Islamic Clerics of Pakistan has met with Noor Wali, leader of the Taliban Pakistan in Kabul, and from my point of view the trip is an improvement,” said Tahir Khan, a journalist, as TOLOnews quoted.
In a photo shown by Pakistani media, a number of leaders of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan can be seen talking to the Pakistani delegation in Kabul.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate leadership confirmed their meeting, saying Pakistani delegation came to Kabul to discuss bilateral relation between the two countries, but avoided further details on the matter.
“The delegation of Islamic Clerics of Pakistan have come to Kabul to discuss education, economic and bilateral relations between the two countries–there are no more details in this regard,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, as local media quoted.
However, a number of analysts shared various thoughts on the trip Pakistani delegation made to Kabul in order to meet the PPT members.
“If Afghanistan can make peace between them, it will be good for Afghanistan, but the most essential thing is that Afghanistan must preserve its home,” said Waheed Faqiri, political analyst.
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban, is an umbrella organization of various Islamist armed militant groups operating along the Afghan–Pakistani border. Formed in 2007 by Baitullah Mehsud, its current leader is Noor Wali Mehsud, who has publicly pledged allegiance to the Afghan Taliban.
TTP has a number of demands from the government of Pakistan, which includes lifting of all sanctions imposed on its leaders, the return of the Taliban to Pakistan’s tribal areas, the release of all prisoners, and the withdrawal of the Pakistani army from these areas.
