Pakistan influence on Taliban important for peace process: Karzai

Asserting that Pakistan is an important element in maintaining peace in Afghanistan, visiting President Hamid Karzai said on Wednesday it would be difficult to fight terrorism without Islamabad's cooperation because it has influence over Taliban.

"It would be difficult and cumbersome to fight terrorism without Pakistan cooperation because Pakistan has influence over Taliban," Karzai told reporters here.

He further said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif is very much inclined towards having good relations with India, as he is aware of the dangers of terrorism faced by India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

When asked about fugitive Taliban supreme leader Mullah Omar hides out, Karzai said: "We all know where he is, he is in the region."

Karzai, who arrived in Chandigarh on Monday to receive a 'Doctorate - Honoris Causa' by a private university, last night held talks with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, and discussed the situation in the region in the backdrop of Afghanistan's keenness to enhance defence cooperation with India.

Karzai held talks on various key bilateral and regional issues with Dr. Singh who also hosted a dinner for the visiting dignitary at his official residence.