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Pakistan confirms hosting Afghan peace talks

Xinhua, July 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

Pakistan confirmed early Wednesday that it has hosted peace talks between the representatives of the Afghan gov't and the Taliban in Islamabad.

Senior Afghan Taliban and Afghan gov't leaders had overnight face-to-face talks in their first ever direct contacts since President Ashraf Ghani assumed office in September last year.

"As part of the commitment to facilitate an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process, Pakistan is hosting a meeting between representatives of the Afghan government and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Afghanistan," the Foreign Office spokesman said in a text message.

The spokesman did not offer more comments and said "further details will be shared later."

The Taliban, whose response is very important, are quite and have not yet spoken about the talks.

On Tuesday the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said he has "no knowledge about any talks and will share if he receives any information."

Presidential spokesman in Kabul said a four-member delegation of the High Peace Council has traveled to Islamabad for talks with the Taliban. Separately the Afghan Chief Executive office also confirmed the talks.

The Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister, Khalil Hekmat Karzai, led the Afghan team in the rare talks.

A senior gov't official has said the Afghan gov't and the Taliban delegations are "fully sanctioned and authorized by the respective sides."

He told the media that Haji Deen Muhammad, adviser to the President and Mr Nateqi, adviser to the Chief Executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah were part of the Kabul's team besides representatives of the High Peace Council.

"The leadership has nominated the delegations," he insisted, and hoped something positive is expected during the talks.

He also disclosed that friendly countries and all stakeholders support the process and Pakistan has a special role in the process.

"Pakistan and Afghanistan need peace and both countries are aware of the fact. But Pakistan stakes are high in the peace in Afghanistan and that is why we are facilitating the process," he said. Endi