Pak, US want Taliban, Afghan govt to talk directly.

Islamabad -- Pakistan and the United States have agreed that direct talks between the Afghan Taliban and the Afghan government are essential to end the 17-year-long conflict in the war-torn country.

'Both sides agreed that ultimately the intra Afghan dialogue would be vital to agree upon the contours of a future Afghan polity where Afghanistan becomes a stable and prosperous country and at peace with its neighbours,' the Foreign Office said in a statement.

The communique was issued after delegation level talks between US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who has been leading efforts to broker an agreement with the Afghan Taliban, and Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on Thursday.

Taliban representatives have met Khalilzad on at least three occasions but have so far refused to talk directly to the internationally recognised Afghan government, which they consider an illegitimate regime put in place by foreign powers.

Khalilzad briefed the Pakistani side on his recent engagements in the region. 'He lauded Pakistan's efforts in facilitating direct talks between Taliban and the US in Abu Dhabi last month,' the Foreign Office said.

While Khalilzad was accompanied by an interagency delegation representing Departments of Defence, State and National Security Council, Janjua was assisted by senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence.

The foreign secretary, according to the Foreign...