Second round of Afghan-Taliban talks postponed: Foreign Office

ISLAMABAD: A second round of talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban has been postponed, Pakistan's foreign office said Thursday, following the reported death of the insurgents' leader Mullah Omar.

Pakistan was the expected venue for the meeting, due to take place on Friday, where Afghan officials had pledged to press the insurgents for a ceasefire.

A foreign ministry statement said the Afghan Taliban leadership had asked for the postponement "in view of the reports regarding the death of Mullah Omar and the resulting uncertainty".

"Pakistan and other friendly countries of Afghanistan hope that the Taliban leadership will stay engaged in the process of peace talks in order to promote a lasting peace in Afghanistan," the statement said.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office declined to comment on the death of the former Afghan Taliban leader but did say Pakistan was investigating reports of his death.

Earlier on Thursday the Taliban distanced themselves from the talks, saying the movement's political office was "not aware of any such process".

Related: Afghan Taliban appoint new supremo to replace Mullah Omar

The Taliban has not officially confirmed Omar's death, but earlier the movement's supreme council decided to appoint a new chief after reports of the reclusive former supremo's death.

The statement marked the first comment from the group, which has waged an almost 14-year insurgency against Afghan and foreign forces, since Kabul's dramatic announcement on Wednesday citing "credible information" about Omar's reported death.

Also read: Mullah Omar died two years ago in a Karachi hospital, claims Afghan govt