ISLAMABAD – With the US ramping up the war on terrorism in Afghanistan,Pakistan wants Taliban leaders to be part of a future setup in Kabul.

Pakistan’s top diplomat in Washington says: “There’s a precedent for thisin the rehabilitation of Gulbadin Hekmatyar Afghanistan (HIA) head).”

Dawn quoted Ambassador Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary as saying the ex-primeminister was not only given a political role but his name was also removedfrom the UN blacklist.

“A similar arrangement can also be made with the Taliban,” the diplomatthe Women’s Foreign Policy Group at the Pakistan embassy in Washington said.

Chaudhary,citing a recent statement from US Defense Secretary James Mattis,said he felt chances for reconciliation between the Ashraf Ghaniadministration and the Taliban had improved.

As efforts are underway to nurture the initial steps towards Taliban-Kabulreconciliation, he said: “Chances for peace are brighter now than before.There are positive signs from all sides…”

Pakistan had always underlined the imperative of a negotiated settlement inAfghanistan because itbelieved no military solution would work there, theambassador added.