ISLAMABAD – Pakistan strongly responds over the direct talks resumptionbetween US and Afghan Taliban.

Pakistan has expressed the hope that the resumption of direct talks betweenthe United States and the Taliban would lead to a peaceful settlement ofthe long-drawn conflict in Afghanistan.

Speaking in the U.N. General Assembly’s debate on the situation inAfghanistan, Ambassador Munir Akram pointed out that Prime Minister ImranKhan has responded to US President Donald Trump’s request to help launchdirect talks with the Taliban.

The United States (US) on November 20 welcomed the release of two Westernhostages, Kevin King and Timothy Weeks, from Taliban captivity in southernAfghanistan.

The duo was handed over to US forces more than three years after they wereabducted in Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan.

In a release, White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said twohostages freed by the Taliban after more than three years in captivity arereceiving medical care and other support from the US government.