Stop evacuating skilled Afghans: Taliban tells the US

New Delhi : Amid talks of extension of date to evacuate the US nationals from Afghanistan, a report by news agency AFP has noted that Taliban has asked the US to not evacuate skilled Afghan people.

"Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid also mentioned that the US should not encourage Afghan elite to leave the country. He also pointed that Taliban is committed and working towards a peaceful resolution to the problem in Panjshir," reported TOLOnews.

Another report by the Washington Post said that CIA chief William Burns held a secret meeting with Taliban in Kabul on Tuesday.

Burns is one of US President Joe Biden's most experienced diplomats; while Baradar, who headed the Taliban's political office in Qatar, is one of the top leaders in the regime that has taken power in Kabul.

A spokesperson for the CIA would not confirm the meeting to AFP, saying that the agency "never discusses the director's travels."