Pakistan PM, Qatar Emir Discuss Afghan Peace

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani held talks on Tuesday with Qatar's emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, on the second-day of an official visit expected to focus on Afghan peace efforts.

Gilani arrived in Doha Monday on a three-day trip that will also address bilateral relations between the two nations, according to official statements.

The oil-rich Gulf state has played a critical role in promoting Afghan peace talks and provided a venue for preliminary contacts between the Taliban and U.S. officials.

Pakistan, which last week sought to reach out to Afghanistan following a period of particularly bad relations over violence plaguing both countries, insists that any process to end the 10-year war be Afghan-led.

Islamabad has officially billed Gilani's visit to Qatar as an opportunity to boost ties and maximize trade.

But a senior Pakistani official has told Agence France Presse that the minister's talks will "certainly" cover issues related to Afghan reconciliation.

An official Qatari statement said Tuesday's talks covered ways of boosting bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The Taliban confirmed last month that they planned to set up a political office in Qatar ahead of possible talks with the United States. Contacts between both sides have already begun, focused on a possible prisoner exchange.

Pakistan's role in Afghanistan is regarded with deep suspicion in Western capitals, given its long-standing ties to the Taliban, Haqqani network and other Islamist fighters, whose leaders are based in Pakistan.

But for the same reason, no peace in Afghanistan will be considered lasting without Pakistan's support and involvement.