KABUL - Members of the Taliban who want to negotiate with the Afghan government will be protected by a newly-formed commission between Kabul, Washington and Islamabad, Afghanistan government officials said Sunday.
The joint commission will coordinate the talks as well as protect Taliban members who are willing to talk, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Janan Mosazai said in a Kabul press conference.

"The Afghan government is maintaining talks with several Taliban leaders in different ways. We will form a protective commission so the Taliban can negotiate with the Afghan government without any fear," Mosazai said.
It comes as recent news reports suggested that several Taliban commanders who were interested in negotiating for peace with the Afghan government have either been threatened or killed by other Taliban and insurgent figures.

The Taliban officially suspended their peace negotiations with the US government in March, accusing it of not being consistent.

The US government has said that it is ready to resume talks with the group but said the Afghan government should lead the talks. The Taliban have rejected any kind of direct talks with the Afghan government.
Nevertheless, Karzai's government has pushed ahead with plans to open a political liaison office for the Taliban in Qatar.

Mosazai also said Sunday that Qatar Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani will visit Afghanistan to sign a strategic pact and finalize plans to open the Taliban office.
"Qatar's Foreign Minister will visit Afghanistan in near future to sign a strategic agreement and finalize the establishment of the Taliban's office in his country," he said at the press conference. (Tolo News)