Pakistan lied to us, will not help with Taliban peace talks: Afghanistan

Accusing Islamabad of lying to them regarding in dealing with the Taliban, Afghanistan's National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar has said that Pakistan is unwilling to help Afghanistan in the peace talks with the Taliban group.

"We have received messages from Pakistan as we have diplomatic relations. Our President has told them we have no hope that they will help us with peace talks," Khaama Press quoted Atmar as saying.

Atmar said, "He told Pakistan that they promised they would go against those who do not want peace talks, but Pakistan did not do this. They lied to us."

Questioning Pakistan's honesty in the fight against terrorism, Atmar stated "Islamabad said the Taliban leader was not in Pakistan, but then we saw Mullah Mansur had a Pakistani ID card when he was killed while travelling inside Pakistan.

"We asked them very clearly, why are you lying? This (peace process) would not be in your favor. Terrorism will backfire against you, and it already has," added Atmar.

The Afghan Government was expecting to participate in direct peace talks with the Taliban group soon after the Quadrilateral Coordination Group comprising of Afghanistan, Pakistan, United States and China started work.

Several rounds of QCG talks were held but the Taliban group rejected the calls to participate in direct talks.

The Afghan officials have long been criticizing Pakistan for allowing the Taliban group and Haqqani terrorist network leaderships to use its soil for planning and coordinating attacks in Afghanistan.