Kabul, Pakistan and U.S. Mull Safe Passage For Taliban Talks

Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin

Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States have said they would explore ways to arrange safe passage for Afghan Taliban militants who wish to engage in peace talks.

Officials from the three countries told journalists in Islamabad on April 27 that they would form a group of experts to consider the proposal.

"We need to be able to find them, those who are willing to talk wherever they are," Afghan deputy foreign minister Jawed Ludin said.

"We need to provide a safe passage and an environment where they feel safe."

Representatives from the three countries were meeting in Islamabad for two days as part of an initiative to revive stalled peace talks with the Afghan Taliban and to smooth relations between Washington and Islamabad.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters