Afghan president fires FO spokesperson over welcoming Pakistan-Taliban talks

Afghan presidential palace, Foreign Office release conflicting statements over Taliban’s 12-member visit to Pakistan

Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani fired the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Sibghatullah Ahmadi, over welcoming Pakistan-Taliban talks.

According to ATN, the Afghan presidential palace and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) issued conflicting statements over Taliban’s 12-member visit to Pakistan.

The spokespersons of the two government entities then brawled on Twitter.

Ghani’s spokesperson Sediq Sediqqi said the Pakistan and Taliban meeting in Islamabad will not help the Afghan peace process.

Pakistan, Afghanistan agree not to give ‘hostile’ statements

However, Ahmadi said the ministry welcomes and appreciates such efforts.

1/2 We all witness the increasing regional and global efforts for resumption of Afghanistan's Peace Process. We welcome the efforts of all the countries in the region and the world aimed at peace in Afghanistan and particularly appreciate these countries' efforts in

— Sibghatullah Ahmadi (@Sibghat_Ah) October 3, 2019

On Saturday, Ghani's spokesperson had denounced Ahmadi’s comments, saying it doesn’t reflect the Afghan government views rather it’s his personal remarks.

Again, Ahmadi emphasised that he has expressed the official position of the government on foreign policy, adding, “Some individuals within the government are still in electoral campaign mood.”

His dismissal was announced by Sediqqi who said he was “fired due to his latest irresponsible comments”.

In addition, Mirwais Nab, former Afghan ambassador to Uzbekistan, has been appointed by President Ghani as acting spokesperson for the foreign ministry and as its deputy minister for economic cooperation.