But a US State Department representative said in a statement that the United States had "not received a formal invitation to any talks." The talks would come a week ahead of previously scheduled negotiations between the two sides in Qatar on February 25. Mujahid said in a statement that the Qatar talks would still take place as scheduled. Khalilzad is due in Pakistan ahead of the Qatar talks as part of a six-country swing through Europe and the Middle East as he tries to build support for efforts to end America's longest war. Taliban officials say they want all foreign troops out before a ceasefire, but would still welcome non-military foreign help to re-build the country.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 14, 2019 17:15 UTC