Taliban, Kabul agree to advance peace process without preconditions

ISLAMABAD: The agenda for peace talks between the Taliban and Afghanistan has been finalized for next phase of the negotiations, sources said.

The sources said representatives from the Taliban militants and Kabul government met in Murree in the presence of Chinese Ambassador, deputy ambassador of the United States and the representatives from Pakistan.

The warring parties are said to have discussed proposed ceasefire, release of Taliban prisoners and an end to militant attacks on government buildings.

The sources said that the Afghan Taliban were asked to stop attacks on Afghan and foreign officials to enable Kabul to consider release of their militants.

The Taliban also offered a ceasefire in exchange for an end to assaults on militants in the name of “operations”.

They said earlier the Taliban had urged for a unilateral ceasefire on part of the Afghan government. However, at the conclusion of today's talks both the sides had agreed to advance the peace process without any preconditions.

They further decided to discuss the issues already settled between both the sides in the next phase of talks, which is said to be held in Doha.