Peace talks on Pak PM's Afghanistan trip agenda

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Prime Minister will discuss Taliban peace talks and cross-border attacks coming from Afghanistan during his upcoming trip to Kabul. The trip will be the first for Raja Pervaiz Ashraf to Afghanistan since he became prime minister last month. His spokesman, Akram Shaheedi, says the visit is scheduled for Thursday. Shaheedi said today that Pakistan supports peace talks with the Afghan Taliban, but the outcome should not adversely affect the country. Pakistan is seen as key to the reconciliation process because of its historical ties with the Taliban. Shaheedi said the prime minister also plans to push the Afghan government to stop militants from its country from infiltrating Pakistan. The US and Afghan governments have long criticised Pakistan for not doing enough to stop cross-border attacks in the opposite direction. PTI