PESHAWAR: A delegation of Afghan politicians will leave Kabul on Friday for negotiations with the Taliban, officials from the insurgent group and the Afghan government said on Wednesday evening.

The visit comes as clashes between the Taliban and government forces have intensified amid the withdrawal of United States-led international forces from Afghanistan and as the Taliban continue to capture several districts and border crossings in the north and west. The surge in violence has also raised grave doubts about the future of United States-backed peace negotiations between the Taliban and the Kabul government.

Part of the US pullout deal signed by the Taliban and Washington in February last year was the group’s commitment to negotiate a cease-fire and a power-sharing deal with the Kabul government.

But little progress has been made toward this even after several rounds of negotiations since September.

Taliban spokesman Dr. Mohammad Naeem told Arab News a delegation of Afghan leaders would be visiting Doha this week for a fresh round of talks.

“Our doors are open for everyone to settle all issues through talks,” he said over the phone from Doha. “Whoever is coming to settle the problems of our homeland, there is no problem at our end. We’re ready now and we were ready before. Let’s see who is coming.”

A member of the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) confirmed that an eight member delegation of Afghan politicians would be in Doha for talks with the Taliban on July 16, adding that “meaningful talks” were expected. He declined to be named as he was not authorized to speak to the media on the record.

Members of the government delegation expected in Doha include HCNR chairman Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, former Afghan president Hamid Karzai, Peace Minister Sayed Sadat Mansoor Naderi, and Hezb-i-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.

“The delegation will hold candid negotiations with the Taliban to focus on peace talks to get the country out of the current chaos,” the HCNR member said. “Both the sides, the Taliban and the Afghan government, will be pressed not to lose this opportunity.”

With Taliban insurgents apparently intent on defeating the Kabul government, Afghanistan’s neighbors, especially Pakistan and Iran, are on alert for refugees crossing borders as the fighting intensifies and living conditions deteriorate.

Decades of war have driven millions of Afghans out of their country, most into Pakistan to the east and Iran to the west. Pakistan is home to 1.4 million Afghan refugees while Iran hosts nearly a million, according to UN refugee agency data from the beginning of the year. The number of undocumented Afghans in both countries is estimated to be much higher.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Tuesday his country had limited resources and could not be expected to do any more.

“Pakistan cannot afford to welcome more refugees,” Qureshi said, “if the situation within Afghanistan deteriorates again.”