Taliban peace talks in Pakistan postponed

KABUL: The Taliban has postponed an unscheduled round of peace talks with the United States set for Monday in Pakistan, saying “most” members of their negotiating team are unable to travel because they’re on the US and United Nations’ blacklists.

The Islamabad talks were seen as significant, coinciding with the visit of the Saudi crown prince. The Taliban 14-member team includes five former inmates of the US prison at Guantanamo Bay, and Anas Haqqani, the jailed younger brother of the leader of the militant Haqqani network. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid had announced last week that talks with the US will take place in Pakistan’s capital, where they will also meet Prime Minister Imran Khan. “The Islamic Emirate had arranged for their representatives to participate but unfortunately, most members of the negotiations team were unable to travel due to the US and UN blacklist and the meeting was postponed,” the Taliban said in the statement.

Security officials said some Taliban members were still under sanctions. AGENCIES