Taliban want 'non-military' solution to Afghan problem, says negotiator

The Taliban are reportedly looking for a "non-military" solution to the Afghan problem, even as talks between them and Afghanistan show signs of resumption. The Taliban, whose top leadership may be in Pakistan and which may have had and still has Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) support, is currently conducting internal discussions on issues that are to be put forward when bilateral talks resume.

There have been several incidents of violence linked to the Taliban — and often fatal — in Afghanistan ever since the Pakistan-brokered truce between the country and the Taliban broke down in May following the death of the extremist group's leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor in May this year. This, among other things, has led to the Taliban being classified as one of the deadliest terror groups in the world, according to the Global Terrorism Index. 

Now, it seems the Taliban are looking to reconcile their differences with Afghanistan, and are actually looking for a peaceful solution! A Taliban leader who is among the negotiators and is currently discussing the agenda for the talks with the terror group's leadership, was quoted by the Express Tribune as saying in a Skype interview: "We are now exploring the options for talks with foreign stakeholders, as well as with the Afghan side."

He also said: "It will be a national-level decision. The consultation process was strong. The Taliban military commanders, who had not been on board earlier, have also been taken into confidence. I would say the consultation process was initiated at the grassroots level this time." 

The Taliban leader condemned Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's move to seek sanctions from the UN on current Taliban head Maulvi Haibatullah, but also said that the Taliban were not looking at a military solution to the whole problem. "We want a non-military solution," the report quoted him as saying. 

He also said that other countries could host the talks, but the Taliban would be centred on their Qatar office.