The High Peace Council (HPC) on Tuesday said in reaction to US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad’s calls for government and Taliban to form inclusive and authorized negotiating teams that the Afghan government will cooperate and establish its delegation in the near future.  

Khalilzad on Monday asked the Taliban to form an authorized team of negotiators for peace talks. He also called on the Afghan government to form its own team of inclusive and authorized representatives for the peace process. 

Helmand officials have confirmed the death toll has risen to eight in the Lashkargah explosion inside an election campaign office in the city.

Helmand governor’s media office said among those killed was the parliamentary election candidate, Saleh Mohammad Achakzai.