A Taliban delegation has travelled to Saudi Arabia for talks with Pakistani officials as part of efforts to ease escalating tensions between the two sides, sources familiar with the matter told Amu.
A source from the Taliban-run foreign ministry said the delegation includes several members who previously took part in meetings in Istanbul, among them Anas Haqqani; Rahmatullah Najib, the Taliban deputy interior minister; and Abdul Qahar Balkhi, Taliban spokesperson for the foreign ministry.
Sources did not disclose the full composition of the team or the exact timing of the discussions.
A Pakistani delegation has also arrived in Saudi Arabia, the sources said. Earlier reports indicated that Riyadh has been attempting to mediate between the Taliban and Islamabad following months of deteriorating relations.
The two sides have already held one round of talks in Doha and two rounds in Istanbul, though the Istanbul meetings ended without progress. Pakistan has repeatedly pressed the Taliban to act against the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a key sticking point in the negotiations.
Iran has also said in recent weeks that it is working to facilitate a regional meeting aimed at addressing the dispute.
Tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban have risen sharply in recent months, with both sides issuing increasingly stark warnings. The main border crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan have been closed for 51 days amid the standoff.
