In an exclusive interview to the Dawn, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid maintained that the Taliban are holding talks with Washington “on their own initiative”, thus sidelining the contribution, Pakistan has been vocal about of late.
"There is no role being played by any outside country. This has always been our own initiative and policy”, he was quoted as saying.
He recalled in the interview that even prior to the US invasion in 2001, the Taliban had asked Washington to engage in dialogue instead of warm but at that time, Washington had been unwilling to negotiate at the time.
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.
Quoting Mujahid, The Dawn reported that the Taliban 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.
The Taliban spokesperson reportedly acknowledged that Pakistan has played the role of a second home for the Afghans and was an important hub of refuge for its people during the Afghan invasion.
The Taliban spokesperson said that despite the ongoing talks, the group had not yet reached any conclusion that would entail an immediate end to hostilities.
Mujahid asserted that the Taliban is forced to wage a war, to combat the nemeies who are constantly attacking them.
Speaking about the status of women in Afghanistan, Mujahid told the Dawn, that the Taliban envisioned an “Islamic society” and wanted to prepare a framework of rights "that do not violate Islamic principles and are accorded to all male and female members".
"The intellectual capacity of people has expanded and a lot of experiences have been gained; hence there shall be no problems in affording women and men all their rights in the future”, he was quoted as saying.