Taliban wants the U.S. to release all its prisoners in exchange for six-month ceasefire

U.S. and Taliban met in the United Arab Emirates on Monday for their third round of talks, Pakistani media reports.

Following the meeting, it was revealed that the U.S. asked the Taliban to announce a six-month ceasefire, join the national unity government that is to be installed in Afghanistan in future and become part of the Afghan political system.

In return, Taliban said they want the U.S. to release all their prisoners, lift ban on movement of their leaders from blacklist and announce a deadline for withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The source said that the Taliban would like to oblige Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Pakistan but it would not be an easy job to announce a ceasefire at the moment.

Taliban sources stated they could announce a ceasefire if these countries become the guarantors and the future caretaker government is given to someone nominated by Taliban.

The paper said that Taliban were represented in the meeting with U.S. by a five-member delegation from Qatar and four senior leaders from Afghanistan.

It is said that the peace talks between the U.S. and the Taliban will continue for three days and that the next round of talks would take place in Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan said on Tuesday that his country helped in the dialogue between Taliban and the US in Abu Dhabi.

“Let us pray that this leads to peace and ends almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people. Pakistan will be doing everything within its power to further the peace process,” PM said on Twitter.

The News reported that the U.S. wanted Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to use their influence on Taliban to soften their demands.

It is worth noting that top US officials during their recent meetings with Pakistani authorities have offered to help it get financial package from the International Monetary Fund in case it convinced the Taliban on softening their demands.