US envoy Khalilzad briefs Afghan President Ghani on talks with Taliban

Published January 28, 2019
A statement issued by the Afghan president's office quotes US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad saying that there was no progress on issue of ceasefire with Taliban or regarding the withdrawal of foreign troops. ─ AP/File
A statement issued by the Afghan president's office quotes US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad saying that there was no progress on issue of ceasefire with Taliban or regarding the withdrawal of foreign troops. ─ AP/File

The Afghan president's office said United States peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has shared details of his recent talks with the Taliban in Qatar with President Ashraf Ghani and other government officials.

Monday's statement quotes Khalilzad as saying he held talks about a ceasefire with the Taliban but that there was no progress yet on that issue.

The statement also claims the Taliban demanded from Khalilzad the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan, but that there was no agreement on that.

US-Taliban talks: As hopes rise of a deal, what comes next?

There was no immediate comment from Khalilzad or the US Embassy.

The statement appeared directed at toning down last week's remarks by Khalilzad reporting "significant progress" in talks with the Taliban.

It also says Ghani thanked Khalilzad and praised US efforts to restart negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

Opinion

Editorial

Words that wound
Updated 18 Jun, 2026

Words that wound

Hate speech rarely begins with physical attacks.
‘New urban province’
18 Jun, 2026

‘New urban province’

CONSIDERING the advance state of urban decay that affects Karachi, voices are often raised calling for the megacity,...
Punjab budget: mixed bag
18 Jun, 2026

Punjab budget: mixed bag

PUNJAB’S budget for FY27 is a mix of good and bad political choices, with a cash-strapped centre tightening the...
Spoiler alert
17 Jun, 2026

Spoiler alert

AFTER the temporary peace deal between the US and Iran is physically signed in Geneva on Friday, an arduous process...
Storm-tested cities
17 Jun, 2026

Storm-tested cities

THE deaths caused by the latest spell of monsoon rains in KP and Punjab illustrate how quickly severe weather can...
Chakwal tragedy
17 Jun, 2026

Chakwal tragedy

A NINE-year-old girl is dead because a Punjab Crime Control Department gunman mistook her family’s car for a...