DUBAI - According to reports, a delegation from Afghan high peace council has left for Dubai to meet with the Taliban group figures in a bid to pave the way for peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban group.

The delegation led by Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai left for United Arab Emirates on Sunday, officials from the Afghan high peace council confirmed.

The officials speaking on the condition of anonymity said the delegation planned to a group of Taliban figures led by Mullah Agha Jan Mutasim, who was a finance minister during the Taliban’s 1996-2001 government.

This comes as Mullah Agha Jan Mutasim organized a gathering of the high ranking Taliban leaders and commanders in Dubai recently to discuss the current situation in Afghanistan.

Mutasim following a statement said that the participants had “insisted in one voice on a discussion among all Afghans, and the need to find a peaceful solution.”

In the meantime, the officials said while the Peace Council delegation travelled to Dubai because the Taliban figures indicated they would be willing to meet with Afghan government representatives; however it was not clear whether all of the participants would follow through.

Mullah Agha Jan Mutasim was a powerful figure in the Taliban’s political committee but his current link to the group is unclear.

He has been based in Turkey since he was shot by unknown gunmen under unclear circumstances in Karachi city of Pakistan. (KP)