Story highlights The Afghan government -- along with the U.S., China and Pakistan -- invited the Taliban to take part in peace talks

But the Taliban rejects "rumors" that it will participate in what it expects would be "futile, misleading negotiations"

The Taliban have been fighting the Afghan government and their allies since being ousted from power after 9/11

(CNN) The Taliban are invited to the negotiating table, but they aren't coming.

The Islamist militant group made that clear Saturday, refuting reports that it would send representatives to upcoming talks involving the Afghan government, Pakistan, the United States and China in the Pakistani city of Islamabad.

"We reject all such rumors and unequivocally state that the esteemed leader of the Islamic Emirate has not authorized anyone to participate in this meeting, and neither has the Leadership Council of Islamic Emirate decided to partake in it," the Taliban said, using another name for itself.

The announcement appears to be a significant blow to the peace talks and is a reversal from what the Taliban reportedly have done in the past.