Dr Abdullah Abdullah, the chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, on Monday travelled to Tajikistan to discuss the Afghan peace process with leaders of Afghanistan’s northeastern neighbour, TOLOnews reported.

A statement released by Abdullah’s office said, “During his two-day official visit, he will meet Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, Prime Minister Qahir Rasoulzadeh and other Tajik officials. He will discuss the Afghan peace process, regional support and bilateral relations in his meetings in Tajikistan, the statement added.

The Afghan government and the Taliban have taken a 23 days break from the Intra-Afghan talks in Doha to discuss more on broad issues with their respective leadership. The High Council for National Reconciliation, led by Abdullah, on Monday reached at a conclusion to restart talks with the Taliban on the prescheduled date, 5 January next year.

The Afghan republic's negotiating team will now engage with Afghan lawmakers, the leadership council, and the public to provide information regarding the Doha talks. Some of the Afghan lawmakers are against restarting talks with the Taliban until the insurgent group shows some willingness to reduce violence in the country.

On the other hand, the Taliban may demand the release of their remaining prisoners, a demand already rejected by President Ghani before resumption of talks in Doha, Qatar.