'Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed': US envoy on 'progress' of US-Taliban talks

Published
"Meetings here were more productive than they have been in the past. We made significant progress on vital issues," tweets Zalmay Khalilzad. — AP/File
"Meetings here were more productive than they have been in the past. We made significant progress on vital issues," tweets Zalmay Khalilzad. — AP/File

The US envoy negotiating with the Taliban hailed “significant progress” on Saturday in finding a solution to end Afghanistan's long-running war.

“Meetings here were more productive than they have been in the past. We made significant progress on vital issues,” Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special representative for Afghan reconciliation, tweeted after six days of talks with the Taliban in Qatar.

The envoy has, however, added: "We have a number of issues left to work out. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, and “everything” must include an intra-Afghan dialogue and comprehensive ceasefire."

Know more: Zalmay Khalilzad: the blunt veteran US diplomat leading peace efforts in Afghanistan

He said he was flying back to Afghanistan to discuss the talks.

While he did not give further details, floated proposals include a withdrawal by the United States of its troops in return for Taliban guarantees not to shelter foreign extremists — the initial reason for the US intervention.

President Donald Trump has been eager to end America's longest war, which was launched shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Trump has already said he will pull half of the 14,000 US troops from Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Voice of America (VOA) reported that the United States and the Taliban have likely reached an agreement for withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan.

"In return, the insurgent group has given assurances that no international terrorist groups would be allowed to use Afghan soil to threaten America or any other country in future," the radio broadcaster added.

Read next: Endgame in Afghanistan

Taliban sources told VOA that it is expected the formal announcement for the withdrawal plan may come as early as Saturday and latest by Monday, if things go according to plan.

The plan would require the Taliban to observe a ceasefire. However, both the withdrawal and the cease-fire will be “limited and conditional”, according to VOA.

Sources added that the possibility cannot be ruled out that Trump announces the plan during his State of the Union speech since now the government shut down has ended.

Opinion

Editorial

Rampant lawlessness
25 Jul, 2026

Rampant lawlessness

THE brutal slaying of a judge and his guard in Mastung is the latest in a series of blood-drenched events that have...
Daily fuel pricing
25 Jul, 2026

Daily fuel pricing

THE government’s move to daily petroleum price adjustments should make fuel pricing more transparent and more...
The drug problem
25 Jul, 2026

The drug problem

WHILE Islamabad Police chase low-level peddlers, the capital’s kingpins have quietly taken their operations ...
A new chokepoint
Updated 24 Jul, 2026

A new chokepoint

WITH free transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz blocked due to the US-Iran conflict, a new chokepoint has...
Improved rating
24 Jul, 2026

Improved rating

S&P GLOBAL’S decision to upgrade Pakistan’s long-term sovereign credit rating to ‘B’ with a stable...
More firetraps
24 Jul, 2026

More firetraps

WHILE it was already apparent that death traps dot Karachi, a safety audit by the Sindh government has thrown up...