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Pak PM urges Afghan Taliban to negotiate
Pakistan on Friday urged leaders of the Afghan Taliban to enter direct peace negotiations with the government of Afghanistan, a sign that Islamabad may be stepping up support for reconciliation in Afghanistan.Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani in a statement said that Pakistan was "prepared to do whatever it takes" to support the reconciliation process. He called on Hizb-i-Islami and other Rahimullah Yusufzai, an expert on regional affairs, said Gilani's comments indicate a shift in Pakistani policy. He said, "It's important because I am hearing this for the first time, that the Pakistani prime minister or somebody that important is urging the Taliban ... to talk directly to the Afghan government." Tuesday Kandahar peace council head Ata Mohammad Ahmadi said that Afghan officials had been meeting for "some time" with mid-level Taliban commanders in Quetta, where their leadership is based. It is not likely that such meetings could take place in Quetta without the knowledge of Pakistani intelligence agencies. Pakistan may have increased its cooperation with the Afghan government by allowing the meetings in Quetta. Posted by: ryuge 2012-02-24 |
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