A Taliban delegation will arrive in Pakistan's capital on Monday for a three-day visit, according to official statements, as both sides in the Afghan peace process continue consultations during a break in negotiations.
The Taliban delegation, led by the militant group's top political leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, is set to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and the foreign minister during the visit, according to a Pakistan foreign office statement.
Two Taliban political sources in Doha told to media they would also hold a meeting in Pakistan among their leadership. The Taliban last visited Islamabad in August, just before the peace talks with the Afghan government began in Doha as the United States pushed for a political settlement while it withdraws troops from the war-torn country.
After reaching an agreement on procedural ground rules this month, negotiators representing the government and the Taliban are taking a break until Jan. 5 when they will continue to work on an agenda. Diplomatic sources told that both sides will continue to consult with their leaderships and other key players over the break.
They added that the next stage will be very challenging as violence rises around the nation and the Afghan government calls for a ceasefire to be top of the agenda, while the Taliban says it should be discussed later. The Taliban political sources said they would take up the issue of rising violence with their military leaders during their leadership meeting.
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