Pakistan will do everything within its power to further Afghan peace process: PM.

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said Pakistan has helped in the dialogue between Taliban and the United States in Abu Dhabi and assured the country will do everything to further the Afghan peace process.

'Pakistan has helped in the dialogue between Taliban and the US in Abu Dhabi. Let us pray that this leads to peace and ends almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people,' the premier tweeted.

He assured, 'Pakistan will be doing everything within its power to further the peace process.'

Officials of the United States and the Afghan Taliban convened on Monday, with the assistance of Pakistan, in a renewed bid to conclude the 17-year-long war in Afghanistan.

Participants in the December 17 meeting, sources said, have jointly agreed to continue the talks. They also comprised officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the primary agenda being the gradual withdrawal of the forces of the US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The sources also mentioned that the Taliban would revert back after discussing the matter with their shura (council) and then meet for a second time with Zalmay Khalilzad, the Secretary Pompeo-appointed US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesperson, also confirmed on Twitter that the representatives from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and the UAE were taking part in the meeting, which follows at least two prior ones between the Taliban and Khalilzad in Qatar.

The Taliban, for some time, have refused engaging in talks with representatives of the Afghan government. However, while the...