‘Taliban envoys in Pak to discuss peace’

Salam Hanafi travelled from Qatar and some other joined them in Pakistan, the official said.

Another Taliban member based in Afghanistan said the delegation had held one round of talks and would stay for few more days.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed a delegation was visiting Pakistan but would not comment on the Qatar talks, which he has denied took place.

“The delegation was sent to discuss some major issues with Pakistani leadership including the arrests of Afghan refugees and their repatriation to Afghanistan,” Muja- hid said.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said he had no information about any Taliban visit.

The Doha-based Taliban official said Pakistan was taken into confidence about the Qatar meetings, but they now believe Pakistan recently arrested some senior Taliban commanders to senior commanders to show their displeasure at being left out.

Another Taliban member said a few days ago Pakistani security agencies had raided a madrasa in Quetta and arrested another Taliban commander, Mullah Abdul Samad Sani.