US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has met Taliban deputy leader in Doha and Pakistan army chief in Islamabad.
Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said Khalilzad and Taliban deputy leader Mullah Baradar discussed release of the prisoners and commencement of intra-Afghan negotiations. US commander Scott Miller was also present in the meeting.
In a meeting with Pakistan Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Khalilzad discussed steps required for the start of intra-Afghan negotiations, a statement from US Embassy in Pakistan said.
The two took note of recent progress created by the Eid ceasefire and accelerated prisoner releases as well as reduced violence ahead of intra-Afghan negotiations.
Khalilzad expressed his appreciation for the role Prime Minister Imran Khan and General Bajwa are playing in support of peace in Afghanistan, the statement said.
The two agreed peace in Afghanistan offers an unprecedented opportunity to advance security, connectivity and development for the region, according to the statement.
