Taliban leaders are consulting with different ethnicities and political parties about forming an inclusive government, TOLOnews reported on Saturday, citing Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, a senior member of the Taliban's political office.

Addressing the country on the national radio and television stations, Stanikzai said all people from different walks of life will be included in the next government.

"Currently, the Taliban leadership is consulting with different ethnic groups, political parties and within the Islamic Emirate about forming a government that has to be accepted both inside and outside Afghanistan and to be recognized," Stanikzai was quoted as saying.

On the same day, another Taliban official Zabihullah Mujahid echoed the remarks, saying a new cabinet is now under preparation.

When asked if women would be included in the new cabinet, he said this would be a matter for the leadership to decide and he could not anticipate what their decision would be.

(With input from Reuters)

(Cover: Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid (C, Rear) attends a press conference, his first public appearance, in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, August 17, 2021. /Xinhua)