In an exclusive interview with TOLOnews, Zalmay Khalilzad underscored the critical need for a political roadmap for Afghanistan’s future, highlighting the reopening of schools for girls as a key step towards normalizing relations between the Islamic Emirate and the United States.

The former US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation also called for the full implementation of the Doha Agreement, urging focused efforts on developing a concrete plan to ensure that all provisions of the agreement are fully executed.

“A plan should be agreed upon to implement the unfulfilled aspects, with a timetable in place. This could pave the way for improving or normalizing relations between Afghanistan and the U.S,” Khalilzad said.

The former US envoy commented on two confidential annexes of the Doha Agreement: the specific timeline and location for the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and issues related to counterterrorism.

He explained, “There were two issues: one was how and when the US withdrawal would begin and end, including which bases they would exit from. If that information had been made public, some non-Taliban groups who were opposed to or enemies of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan might have taken advantage of it to attack US troops. That’s why this section was kept confidential.”

In addition, Khalilzad praised the security situation in Afghanistan but acknowledged that groups like Daesh still have a presence in the country.

Regarding the presence of Daesh, he said, “Positive steps have been taken in accordance with the Doha Agreement, and there is a threat from Daesh. However, the Taliban are fighting against this threat. It is essential to ensure that the Taliban continue to cooperate as per the Doha Agreement.”

The former US envoy also said that Afghanistan is no longer a priority for the United States, and that the US is now focusing only on 'mutual interests" moving forward.