خبرونه - افغانستان

The Taliban have reportedly disclosed to Pakistani officials a "functional blueprint" for talks with the US, Pakistani media reported.

The Express Tribune, a Pakistani newspaper, quoted an unidentified Taliban leader as saying that the consultation with the Pakistani government was to make sure Islamabad felt comfortable with the agenda for talks.

The Taliban leader is not named in the report.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, is scheduled to visit Kabul next week and it is likely she will discuss the peace talks with President Karzai and other Afghan officials.

Meanwhile, Former Taliban envoy to Pakistan, Abdul Salam Zaeef, argued that Pakistan's involvement is counter-productive in US-Taliban peace talks.

"If Pakistan is involved in the talks, then Iran, India and other neighbours will also want to have a say in the process. Afghans cannot afford such rivalries. Afghans must make decisions independently and all countries should extend diplomatic support to the Afghan peace process," Mullah Zaeef said.

US envoy Marc Grossman made a trip to the region earlier this week and insisted that the peace talks should be Afghan-led. He was scheduled to travel to Pakistan, but his plan was quashed by Islamabad.