Summary Sartaj Aziz has said that stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan's interest.
KABUL (AP) - A senior Pakistani official says his country is willing to help get peace talks started with the Taliban if asked.
Sartaj Aziz, a special adviser on national security and foreign affairs, says Islamabad has been trying to help jumpstart the peace process because a stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan s interest.
But Aziz told a news conference Sunday that any peace talks must be Afghan-owned and led. He was on a one-day visit to Afghanistan.
Peace talks have not yet begun and the Taliban earlier this month closed their political office in Qatar, at least temporarily, after a dispute broke out over their use of the name and flag they had during their five-year rule.
The U.S. and Pakistan have been working together to try and facilitate the talks.
