Afghans, Taliban to meet again after Pakistan talks: FO

ISLAMABAD: Representatives of the Afghan government and Taliban have agreed to meet again after landmark through-the-night talks aimed at ending the militants’ 13-year insurgency, Pakistan Foreign Office said Wednesday.

A delegation of the Afghan High Peace Council (HPC), the body tasked with opening negotiations, met the Taliban in the town of Murree, a hill station north of Islamabad, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif hailed the meeting as a breakthrough, though the Taliban show no sign of easing up on their bloody summer offensive, launching two suicide attacks in Kabul on Tuesday as talks were about to get under way.

Few details were released about what was discussed, but a foreign ministry spokesman said the talks lasted through the night, concluding at sehri.

"The participants exchanged views on ways and means to bring peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan," the statement said, adding that the two sides had agreed to approach the talks with "sincerity and... full commitment".

"The participants agreed to continue talks to create an environment conducive for (the) peace and reconciliation process."

US and Chinese representatives also attended, the ministry said, adding that the next round of talks will be held at a "mutually convenient date" after Ramazan.

US lauds Pakistan for facilitating dialogue

The United States praised Pakistan for facilitating the meeting between Afghan government and Taliban representatives.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said this was an important step in advancing prospects of durable peace in Afghanistan.