After repeated delays over prisoners’ release, talks between the Afghan government and Taliban will begin in Doha, Qatar today.

The meeting was due to start after a US-Taliban security deal in February. However, it was delayed due to violence in the country and over the US-Taliban deal.

In the agreement, the Taliban had agreed to release 1,000 Afghan troops, while the government said it would release 5,000 Taliban prisoners.

Taliban say ready to begin Afghan peace talks Saturday

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, US Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and Abdullah Abdullah, chairperson of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation, will also attend the inauguration ceremony.

Afghan government's 21-member negotiating team led by Masoom Stanekzai, already arrived in Doha on Saturday.

The two sides will meet with the goal of bringing an end to nearly two decades of a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of combatants and civilians.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has also welcomed the talks. "I warmly welcome the announcement regarding commencement of Intra-Afghan Negotiations on 12 September 2020. Finally, our combined efforts have brought forth the day that the Afghan people have been yearning for,” PM said

The PM further said that Pakistan has played a pivotal role in facilitating the Afghan peace process and it is now time for the Afghan leaders to seize this historic opportunity.