Islamabad: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif earlier today categorically stated that Taliban leader Mulla Omar has neither died in Pakistan nor has been buried here. Replying to a statement made by Syed Naveed Qamar; Khawaja Asif said Mulla Omar was not in either Quetta or Karachi.

“I want to reiterate that Mullah Omar neither died in Pakistan nor was his burial held here. The statements of his children and relatives are kept a viable record. The matter of his death now or earlier is a controversy that we do not want to be involved in,” Asif told Parliamentarians.

The defence minister said that it would be a major success for Pakistan if talks between the Afghan government and Taliban negotiators ended on a positive note.

“Two rounds were held for the talks. One was held in China, the second in Pakistan. A third round was scheduled in Pakistan but after this news it has been postponed, not cancelled. The process is still ongoing,” Khawaja Asif told lawmakers in the National Assembly. Asif said that Americans and Chinese were taking part in the negotiations as observers.

“We still wish that this process continues and that Pakistan's positive role becomes a part of history. Our efforts are directed so whoever succeeds in gaining leadership of this country; continues with this negotiations process so that long-lasting peace can be established in the region,” he said.

Khawaja Asif added that the officials in Pakistan have no control over the Taliban situation but exercise some influence to convince them in reaching negotiations.