KABUL - Sartaj Aziz, Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs to Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Has Said Beijing has offered to host peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

The Pakistan Observer quoted as saying a final decision, however, would be made by the Afghan government. He reiterated Islamabad’s willingness to play the role of a facilitator in the peace process.

Direct negotiations between Kabul and Taliban were the need of the hour, Aziz in told the daily. No doubt, former president Hamid Karzai was reported to be in touch with the Taliban, who were encouraged to open an office in Doha, he recalled.

But the way the Taliban’s political bureau was inaugurated in Qatar infuriated the Karzai administration and spawned differences between Kabul and Washington. As a consequence, the initiative fizzled out.

At a time when most of the foreign troops had pulled out of Afghanistan, there was a level playing field for all parties concerned to move forward toward result-oriented talks, he believed.

A new government was in place in Kabul, the advisor pointed out, saying China was ready to promote regional peace -- key to development and prosperity. (Pajhwok)