Taliban Denies US Talks On Inclusive Afghan Government, Contradicts Hekmatyar's Claims

Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban's spokesperson, has refuted Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's assertions about the United States proposing a list of individuals for forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan.

Mujahid clarified that the Taliban has made no commitments to anyone regarding such a government setup.

Mujahid responded to Hekmatyar's claims, urging caution in making unverified statements. Hekmatyar, the leader of the Hizb-e-Islami party, previously stated that the US proposed a list and requested the Taliban to form an inclusive government as part of the Doha agreement and warned of supporting opposition groups if the Taliban failed to comply.

A source told Afghanistan International that the US's proposed list for an "inclusive government" was discussed in Taliban's cabinet meetings. Hekmatyar, in a virtual party meeting in Kabul, noted a shift in the US's tone and stance towards Afghanistan and inferred the involvement of strategically interested countries in recent anti-Taliban meetings in Moscow, Dushanbe, Vienna, and other locations.

These gatherings, including those led by the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan under Ahmad Massoud, seem to have bolstered the unity among Taliban opponents. Massoud hailed the recent Vienna meeting's outcomes as significant. At this meeting, Fazl Ahmad Manawi, ex-Justice Minister and National Resistance Front senior member, discussed agreements on a "roadmap" to resolve the Afghan crisis. The Vienna meeting saw participation from leaders of 29 Afghan political groups and representatives from Western countries, including the US, the UK, Austria, Germany, Spain, and Norway.