Express Tribune: Ahmad Massoud’s Invitation to Brussels Caught the Taliban Off Guard.
Pakistan’s Express Tribune has reported that, as the European Union began discussions with the Taliban on the return of more than 27,000 undocumented Afghan migrants, Brussels also initiated consultations with anti-Taliban groups, including Ahmad Massoud, the leader of the National Resistance Front.
According to the newspaper, the European Union is considering engagement through two separate Afghanistan-related committees: one composed of Taliban representatives and another including political figures and opponents of the Taliban.
The report says that the Taliban reacted angrily after learning that Ahmad Massoud had been invited to meetings related to the process.
Quoting a senior Taliban official, Express Tribune reported that the group’s leadership was “surprised and furious” upon receiving the news, describing the move as outside the framework of official engagement with Europe and “unacceptable.”
The Taliban have established a seven-member committee to negotiate with the European Union on issues related to the acceptance of deported Afghan migrants, identity verification, and other technical matters.
According to Express Tribune, the European Union’s approach reflects Brussels’ intention to preserve alternative political options regarding Afghanistan.
Analysts believe that inviting both the Taliban and their political opponents could provide the European Union with additional leverage during negotiations.
The development comes as the National Resistance Front, led by Ahmad Massoud, and other anti-Taliban groups continue their political and military activities. At the same time, the Taliban’s invitation to Brussels has faced widespread criticism from human rights organizations and a number of Afghan citizens living across Europe.
