On I-Day, Taliban say people’s demands be considered

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Taliban say the Afghan sides should consider people’s demands while observing the country’s independence and regional countries should help Afghanistan reach its goals.

Releasing a statement on the occasion of Afghanistan’s 101st independence day celebrations, the Taliban said: “Today as we are celebrating the independence, all the internal sides should consider the real wishes and demands of the people.”

The Taliban also asked the international community and regional countries to help Afghans reach their legitimate goals.

They said their struggle for preservation of independence and Islamic system in the country would continue and they would allow no one to create hurdles in this regard.

Intra-Afghan talks, which were scheduled to begin on August 16 in Qatar, were postponed indefinitely after the government stalled the release of 400 Taliban prisoners.

The government says it stopped releasing the hardcore prisoners after the Taliban refused to free all government captives.

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