ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 (AFP) -Pakistan said as many Taliban groups as possible must be persuaded to join any upcoming peace discussions with the Afghan government, as a third round of four-country talks aimed at reviving negotiations with the insurgent group began today. Delegates from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States convened in the Pakistani [...]

Sunday Times 2

Pakistan wants all Taliban groups to join peace talks

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 6 (AFP) -Pakistan said as many Taliban groups as possible must be persuaded to join any upcoming peace discussions with the Afghan government, as a third round of four-country talks aimed at reviving negotiations with the insurgent group began today.

Delegates from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States convened in the Pakistani capital Islamabad over the weekend even as the insurgents wage an unprecedented winter campaign of violence across Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s advisor for foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz said a joint effort would help persuade the Taliban to join the process and lead to a “significant” reduction in violence.