Govt to offer Taliban 30pc share in cabinet

KABUL with a 30 per cent share in the cabinet and in three provinces, Pakistani media reports on Sunday.

The Express newspaper report said that the discussions over peace talks were underway between Afghan government and the Taliban and there was a high possibility that the government would offer posts to the insurgent group.

It is said the Afghan government had also made initial contacts in Islamabad and Doha with Taliban representatives with the help of Pakistan and China.

According to the newspaper, if the Afghan government and the Taliban managed to come to an agreement then Maulvi Abdul Salam Zaeef, former Taliban ambassador to Pakistan, would be given positions among others. Taliban have not yet commented on the issue.

Presidential spokesman Ajmal Obaid Abidy told Pajhwok Afghan News that the media reports in this regard were baseless and untrue. “Neither the government has held any talks with the Taliban nor they are offered with any incentives,” Abidy added. 

Political commentator Inayatullah Kakar told Pajhwok Afghan News details of the peace process have been kept classified by all sides.

He added Taliban had fundamental issues with the current government when it came to media freedom, women’s rights, presence of international community, which would constitute the initial part of parleys.

“I don’t think the government has made any offer to Taliban,” he said, adding it was premature to talk about sharing of these top government posts with the Taliban.

hg/rm

Views: 1