KABUL – Afghanistan High Peace Council (AHPC) says direct talks with theTaliban group will likely kick off in coming weeks amid ongoing efforts torevive peace talks with the group.

The High Peace Council Secretariat Chief Mohammad Akram Khpalwak informedregarding the possible launch of direct talks as he was briefing thelawmakers in the Lower House of the Parliament on Wednesday.

Khpalwak further added that they hope to see a positive outcome regardingthe ceasefire and direct talks taking into consideration the nationalconsensus, regional and international support for the reconciliationprocess.

According to Khpalwak, the recent uprisings for reconciliation,specifically the recent stance announced by Saudi Imams, have created abest opportunity for the peace talks.

He also added that the High Peace Council and government are fully preparedfor the peace talks and consider the situation as viable for the peaceprocess.

Khpalwak said the High Peace Council hopes that the Taliban group wouldrespect the demands of the people and Saudi Imams and introduced theirauthorized representatives for the talks regarding ceasefire and peaceprocess.

The Taliban group has not commented regarding the remarks of Khpalwak sofar but the group has so far refrained to respond positively to the ongoingefforts for the revival of peace talks.