Khaama Press: Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has urged the Afghan government to halt further execution of the prisoners charged with the terror offences. In an online statement issued following the death of Taliban supreme leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, Karzai has said ‘brotherhood’ and ‘unity’ are the only way to achieve peace in the country. He
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty May 26, 2016 U.S. President Barack Obama has said the Taliban are unlikely to come to the table for peace talks with the Afghan government “anytime soon.” Obama was speaking on May 26 on the sidelines of a G7 summit in Japan, a day after the Taliban appointed Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada
Press TV May 25, 2016 The Afghan Taliban’s newly-appointed leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, has pledged that the militant group will not enter into any peace talks with the government in Kabul. “No, no we will not come to any type of peace talks,” the man, identified as Akhundzada, said in an audio recording provided by the
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty May 25, 2016 Pakistan’s military says the country’s army chief has met with U.S. Ambassador David Hale to express Islamabad’s serious concerns over a drone strike on Pakistani soil that killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansur. A May 25 military statement says General Raheel Sharif denounced “such acts of sovereignty
Khaama Press: The Presidential Palace announced Tuesday that there is no specific time frame for the conclusion of peace deal with Hezb-e-Islami led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Deputy presidential spokesman Syed Zafar Hashemi told reporters that peace process is always complicated and it would be a mistake to confirm a time frame regarding the peace agreement. Click
VOA News Ayaz Gul, Carla Babb May 22, 2016 ISLAMABAD/PENTAGON—The Afghan intelligence agency confirmed that Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Pakistan near the Afghan border. Pakistan says it was informed by the U.S. after the drone strike was carried out but lashed out at Washington for violating its “sovereignty.”
VOA News Ayaz Gul May 22, 2016 Mullah Akhtar Mansoor was formally named leader of the Taliban in July 2015, shortly after the militant group disclosed that founder Mullah Omar had died two years prior. The Afghan government said Mansoor was the de facto leader of the Taliban during the time that Omar’s death remained
Asia Times: Kabul hopes the possible peace deal with Hezb-i-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and his return could serve as a template for ending the 15-year war with the Taliban. While the deal with his inactive militant group may be more symbolic, it could help President Ashraf Ghani to win over the Taliban through talks. However, many
VOA News Ayesha Tanzeem May 18, 2016 ISLAMABAD—Afghanistan is showing its anger at Pakistan by downgrading its representation to the international group trying to arrange peace talks with the Taliban. Kabul says Pakistan needs to honor its commitments to take action against militant groups operating from Pakistan. The groups include the Afghan Taliban and the
Khaama Press: The Afghan government has signed the draft peace agreement with Hezb-e-Islami group led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Deputy Chief Executive Mohammad Khan said. He told reporters that the draft agreement has been signed and will become enforceable once the Hezb-e-Islami party signs it. Click here to read more (external link). Related NUG Upbeat About Draft