The Afghan Taliban have shown a more lenient face at the Paris meeting, indicating they're open to more rights for women and recognizing the Afghan army.
According to reports, Taliban may accept the US-funded Afghan National Army. However, they have asked for amendments in the Constitution and emphasized the complete withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan.
“We saw positive signs from Taliban at the Paris meeting. We hope such negotiations continue in the future and Taliban realize that negotiation is the main solution to the Afghan conflict,” Sayed Fazel Sancharaki, spokesman for Afghanistan’s National Front, told TOLOnews.
The government also expressed optimism after the Paris talks, welcoming the presence of Taliban in the meeting.
“We welcome the Paris negotiations as well as the participation of Taliban at the meeting. We hope such negotiations continue,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Janan Mosazai said Sunday at a press conference.
Meanwhile, some civil society activists slammed the claims of a softer Taliban, alleging that Pakistan is trying to infiltrate Afghanistan’s politics and vastly influence the upcoming elections.
“Pakistan, in coordination with Taliban, are trying have a major role in the Afghan peace process and influence Afghan elections to re-establish the Taliban Emirates,” activist Ajmal Balochzada said, adding that the Taliban are benefiting from the government's weakness and trying to regain power.