The office of the Chief Executive of the National Unity Government has welcomed efforts by Zalmay Khalilzad, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan’s Reconciliation, to bring about peace.

One of the CEO’s spokesmen, Omid Maisam, said the only way to ensure peace in Afghanistan is to put pressure on the Taliban and on countries which are supporting the group.

“I hope that the efforts by Mr. Khalilzad will continue as it is, so that we will witness tangible results,” said Maisam. 

Khalilzad is meanwhile currently on a visit to the region. According to the US State Department, Khalilzad, along with a delegation will visit Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar between November 8 to 20.

The statement, released on November 8, says that the US envoy will meet with Afghan government officials and other interested parties to advance the goal of an intra-Afghan dialogue and negotiations that include the Taliban and lead to sustainable peace.

The High Peace Council (HPC) meanwhile on Saturday gave an update on its move to establish a negotiations team as requested by Khalilzad during his trip to Kabul last month. 

“Discussions will be made and a suitable delegation and negotiators will be selected,” said Abdul Rahim Bek, a senior member of the council.

Some MPs said they don’t see any positive impact of meetings on peace as the war continues unabated. 

“Taliban’s pre-conditions are accepted and meetings are held trilaterally,” said Daud Kalakani, an MP. 

“No positive changes have been seen so far. The Taliban has continued their war and has reiterated their call for the withdrawal of foreign forces. I don’t think that the peace talks will yield any results until they bring a change in their call for the withdrawal of foreign forces and agree to a ceasefire,” said Abdulhai Akhundzada, an MP.

On Saturday the foreign ministry of Pakistan said the recent release of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was at the request of Khalilzad.

“His release was facilitated by Pakistan at the US’ request in order to move forward on this shared objective of pursuing a political settlement in Afghanistan. This decision was taken following the visit of US Special Envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad,” said Mohammad Faisal, spokesman for Foreign Affairs Ministry of Pakistan.

Sources confirmed last month that Baradar, the co-founder of Taliban movement, had been released from a Pakistan prison after the intervention of Khalilzad.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, also known as Mullah Baradar Akhund or Mullah Brother, is a co-founder of the Taliban movement in Afghanistan and was the deputy of Mullah Mohammed Omar, the founding leader of the Taliban, whose death was confirmed in October 2016. 

Baradar was captured in Pakistan by a team of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and US’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officers in February 2010.