Afghanistan hopeful of Pakistan's help in peace drive

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan is optimistic that Pakistan will help the Kabul government advance a reconciliation process with the Taliban, the Afghan president's spokesman said on Saturday.

Pakistan, seen as crucial to efforts to end the war in Afghanistan, has repeatedly said it wants peace in its neighbour.

Karzai's government supports any talks that take place in Qatar, but it wants to widen the reconciliation process to other countries because that could make the effort more comprehensive.