'Pak-Afghan peace dialogue falters over ways to fight terrorism'

Islamabad, Feb 18 (ANI): The dialogue on peace and stability in Afghanistan between Kabul and Islamabad has reportedly faltered because of persisting differences over how to fight terrorism and questions about what role the US will play in it.

"What we are talking is how to bring peace and stability to the two countries (Afghanistan and Pakistan) and the region at large," The Dawn quoted Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, as saying.

"Our dialogue is at an advanced stage, we are discussing real issues. But what we have not come to as yet are the mechanisms we need to achieve the objective of a region free of extremism, radicalisation and violence it brings on us," he added.

The other contentious issue, he said, was the role of US "as an important player" in the attainment of that goal.

Karzai's blunt demand to Pakistan for bringing Taliban leaders to the negotiating table has shocked the political and military leadership in Islamabad, keeping both countries poles apart in terms of reconciliation with the Taliban even after two days of high-level talks.

"Deliver Mullah Omar? If that is the expectation, then there's no reality check then. Then they're not only unrealistic, but preposterous," these were the words of Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar over Karzai's demands.

Khar's words on Friday summed up how a trip hailed by Karzai as the most important in the past decade concluded without any solution. (ANI)