By IRNA,
Islamabad : Afghan Taliban rejected dialogue proposal by tribal elders and political leaders from Pakistan and Afghanistan and said that talks could not be held unless foreign troops quit Afghanistan.
Tribal elders from Afghanistan and Pakistan Tuesday emphasized the urgent need of dialogue and negotiations with the ‘opposition groups’ in both countries to find a peaceful settlement of the on-going conflict.
A joint declaration issued at the conclusion of two-day meeting of the ‘mini Jirga’ decided that channels of communication would be open with the opposition groups in the two countries.
“We will not hold talks with the Jirga as it is of government Jirga and does not represent the people. All are officials from the Karzai govt,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in text message.
The Islamabad tribal council also formed a committee of prominent individuals would be constituted to initiate contacts with these groups.
Chairmen of the Pakistani and Afghan commissions have been entrusted the responsibility nominate members of these committee and name its contact groups but these would be kept secret.
“We do not consider the jirga as independent body. That is why it is Karzai Jirgai”, Taliban spokesman said.
“We have made it clear that unless all foreign troops are withdrawn, dialogue is impossible,” Mujahid said.