Taliban rejects 'safe passage' agreement reached at Pak-US-Afghan trilateral forum

Islamabad, Apr 29(ANI): The Afghan Taliban has rejected the trilateral forum agreement in Islamabad that had agreed to give a safe passage to moderate elements of the Taliban, who are willing to talk to the Afghan government.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid slammed the decision as a US tactic to make jihadis surrender.

"The meeting agreed on a sub-group that would provide room for protection, facilitation, and arrange travels of those mujahideen who, as the meeting termed, were ready for reconciliation. It is an attempt to get them surrendered to the US demands in the name of reconciliation," The Daily Times quoted Mujahid, as saying.

"The US and its allies have so far not recognised mujahideen, who are not fighting for positions or greed. Rather we are doing jihad as an independent nation and representatives of Pakhtuns for freedom," he added.

His statement came after the meeting of the high-level delegation comprising US, Afghanistan and Pakistan officials that discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with the reconciliation process.

The meeting of the trilateral forum, also known as the core group, agreed to form a sub-group at the UN level to coordinate activities in New York, and another group consisting of experts, to find ways and means to provide the negotiating Taliban with a safe passage, including de-listing their names from the terrorists' list of the UN. (ANI)