Afghan Taliban may meet Saudi prince in Pakistan

PESHAWAR: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is likely to meet Afghan Taliban representatives during his visit to Pakistan on Sunday, Pakistani government sources said, as part of efforts to end Afghanistan’s 17-year-old civil war.

Pakistan has been playing an increasingly vital role in the Afghanistan peace talks, which have been gathering momentum in recent months amid a growing US desire to pull out its troops.

Along with other Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia has been part of the peace negotiations and is seen to have some sway over the Afghan Taliban militants due to Riyadh’s historical ties with the hardline Islamist group and the kingdom’s religious clout as the birthplace of Islam.

Two senior Pakistani officials said the crown prince was likely to meet Afghan Taliban representatives in Islamabad, where the militants say they are due to meet US representatives and Pakistani PM Imran Khan.

“Though it is top secret so far, there are strong indications representatives of the Afghan Taliban will meet Prince Salman during their visit of Pakistan on February 18,” a Pakistani official in Islamabad said.