KABUP – In reaction to a statement by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khanon facilitating talks between US and Taliban officials, the Ministry ofForeign Affairs (MoFA) on Sunday said the meeting would mark Islamabad’sfirst practical step towards the peace process in Afghanistan if it happenson December 17.

MoFA spokesman Sibghat Ahmadi said Pakistan’s cooperation in the peaceprocess in Afghanistan is crucial.

“The United States has also increased its pressure. So far, we haveachieved some results, but we hope that these results are achieved inlarger scale,” said Ahmadi.

But, one member of the High Peace Council (HPC) said Taliban officials fromQuetta shura will not attend the meeting, but Taliban’s representativesfrom Qatar office will talk to the Americans in the meeting.

“Taliban representative from Qatar will attend these talks,” said HPCdeputy chief Assadullah Zaeeri.