Afghan officials deny negotiating with Taliban leaders

Almaty. August 31. Silkroadnews – Afghan officials deny they are negotiating with Taliban leaders, the Associated Press reports.
“Afghan officials on Wednesday denied being in regular talks with Taliban leaders, in response to an AP report based on documents showing that the intelligence chief speaks by telephone with militant leaders nearly every day”, the report says.
At the same time, the National Security Adviser of Afghanistan Mohammad Haneef Atmar said the Afghan government is committed to peace, but all negotiations are conducted by the High Peace Council, and Afghanistan’s intelligence in its statement denied that its chief had contacts with Taliban leaders.
Reportedly, AP information was based on transcripts of conversations that a senior Afghanistan’s security official showed the AP. The talks were held with the leaders of the Taliban, who were in Pakistan and the state of Qatar.
According to the publication, in the course of the talks, the Taliban set out the points that could outline a potential breakthrough in the years of efforts to establish peace.
The Taliban’s proposed discussion points call for creation of an interim government, consent to women’s education and right to work, though rejects the very idea that a woman can become president or judge of the Supreme Court.
In addition, the Taliban demanded the creation of special courts that would exclusively deal with illegal seizure of property by former military commanders currently holding positions in the government of the country.
It is reported that so far Afghan officials claim neither side is ready to agree to public peace talks.