Taliban Likely To Meet MBS in Pakistan

By Staff, Agencies

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman [MBS] is likely to meet Afghan Taliban representatives during his visit to Pakistan starting Sunday, according to Pakistani government sources.

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

Two senior Pakistani officials said the crown prince was likely to meet Afghan Taliban representatives in Islamabad, where the militants, fighting in Afghanistan after their 2001 ouster, said they are due to meet US representatives and Pakistani Prime Minister 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 [to] Pakistan on Feb. 18," one of the Pakistani officials in Islamabad said.

A senior Taliban leader in Qatar said no decision had been made on whether they would meet the crown prince.

"Actually meeting Prince Salman is not in the plan so far, but we can discuss it when we are in Islamabad," the Taliban representative argued.

MBS is expected to stay to leave Pakistan Monday after signing a raft of investment agreements in the energy sector for more than $10 billion.