U.S.-Taliban talks in Pakistan 'postponed'

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Talks between U.S. negotiators and Taliban members in Islamabad which were supposed to be held on Monday have been postponed, Afganistan's Tolo news reported, citing a statement Taliban acknowledged on Sunday.

The statement said that Taliban was prepared for the talks but most negotiators in the group could not attend the meeting as they are on the U.S. and United Nations blacklist.

The group rejected the reports which say the talks were postponed by the Taliban, Tolo added.

This came after reports said that the Taliban would hold talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad. The group, however, has not mentioned anything about such reports in its Sunday statement.

Earlier, Taliban officials and U.S. negotiators agreed on a draft peace pact on January 26 setting out the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan within 18 months, potentially ending the longest war the U.S. has ever been involved in.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also described the progress achieved with the Taliban as "encouraging news" on his twitter page, adding that the U.S. is serious about pursuing peace in Afghanistan and bringing the U.S. forces home.

According to Taliban sources, more talks are expected in February while the planned round of peace talks in Pakistan was postponed.