Envoy to U.S. urges to consult Taliban on any Afghan pullout delay

The U.S. struck a deal with the Taliban in February 2020 for the full U.S. troop pullout from Afghanistan. /AFP Photo

The United States should consult the Taliban on any extension of a May 1 deadline for a full U.S. troop pullout from Afghanistan and should not decide unilaterally, Reuters reports the Pakistani ambassador to the U.S. to say.

Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan's comments come as the Biden administration conducts a review of a February 2020 deal with the Taliban, which is expected to determine whether the U.S. troops withdrawal will be completed by the deadline.

According to Reuters, U.S. and European officials say the Taliban have not fulfilled commitments they made in the accord and that conditions are not conducive to advancing the peace process amid a surge in violence blamed on the insurgents.