Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has confirmed that Taliban leaders will meet U.S. top peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in the capital Islamabad, Anadolu Agency reports.
"Afghan Taliban representatives are here in Islamabad and how long they will stay here, I couldn't say anything about this, but they will meet Zalmay Khalilzad," Qureshi told Hum News, a local broadcaster late Thursday.
There is no other way except dialogue to bring lasting peace to Afghanistan and the region, he added
Qureshi added that the Afghan government was also taken into confidence before the Taliban’s meetings in Pakistan.
He gave no details on the timing of the Taliban meeting with U.S. officials, but speaking to Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity, a senior Foreign Ministry official said it is expected to be held today after Friday prayer or Saturday morning.