KABUL - President Hamid Karzai taking a swipe at neighboring Pakistan, said it was clear the Taliban leadership was not independent enough to make its own decisions about how it conducted the war, and suggested talks with Islamabad instead.
President Hamid Karzai, long a staunch advocate of peace talks with the Taliban, on Wednesday questioned whether the insurgent group was able to seek a political settlement and blamed Pakistan for fomenting instability.
"During our three-year efforts for peace, the Taliban has martyred our religious Ulema (leaders), tribal elders, women, children, old and young," Karzai was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his office.
"By killing Rabbani, they showed they are not able to take decisions. Now, the question is (should we seek) peace with who, with which people?"

The meeting included tribal elders, legislative chairmen, cabinet ministers, former mujahideen commanders and his two vice-presidents, the statement added.

The death of Rabbani had raised concerns that his assassination would not only scuttle the peace process but exacerbate ethnic rifts among Afghans fighting the Taliban.

Rabbani was chairman of the High Peace Council, formed by Karzai in October last year to reach out to the Taliban.

Although the Council was considered more an official endorsement of negotiations than a real body for discussions, contacts continued through other channels, often involving foreign countries with a stake in Afghanistan's future. (Agencies)