ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, on Tuesday said Pakistan is facilitating talks between the Afghan government and Afghan Taliban, but said he had no knowledge of talks between Taliban and United States officials.

“Pakistan welcomes such contacts, which will contribute towards peace and stability in Afghanistan,” said Sartaj Aziz, while addressing the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, which met on Tuesday at the Parliament House in Islamabad.

Mr. Aziz said the Taliban political office in Doha is active and working, adding that a Taliban delegation in the recent past had visited Islamabad, but refrained from giving more details.

The adviser further told the committee that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was invited by the new Saudi King for an official visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss bilateral ties and the emerging regional situation.

The committee was also briefed by Foreign Office Additional Secretary Afrasiab on the recently concluded Indian foreign secretary’s visit to Islamabad. The additional secretary said all issues between India and Pakistan were raised during the meeting between the two foreign secretaries.

“There is no major shift in Pakistan's position on Kashmir issue,” said Sartaj Aziz in reply to a question from a committee member.