Afghan Taliban delegation arrives in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - DECEMBER 16: A delegation of Afghan Taliban led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the group's deputy head, arrived on a two-day visit to Islamabad on Wednesday, Dec. 16. Soon after arrival, the delegation visited Pakistan's Foreign Ministry where Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi welcomed them. According to a Foreign Ministry statement, Taliban leaders will meet Prime Minister Imran Khan, the military leadership and other senior officials. "The visit of Taliban Political Commission delegation is part of Pakistan’s policy to reach out to key Afghan parties in the Afghan peace process with a view to facilitating the Intra-Afghan Negotiations, that commenced in Doha on 12 September 2020," said the statement. Pakistan will continue to support an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement for durable peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan and the region. This is the second delegation-level visit by Taliban to Pakistan in the last four months. In August, a seven-member Taliban delegation led by Baradar had held talks with Qureshi. Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, Pakistan’s spymaster, was also present in the meeting. (Footage by Pakistani Foreign Ministry/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)