Kabul, Dec 26 (TIWN) The presence of Taliban leaders and their fighters in Pakistan is a "clear violation of Afghanistans national sovereignty" and will challenge the war-torn country's peace process, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul said on Friday.

In a statement, the Ministry called on Pakistan to prevent insurgents from using its territory against Afghanistan.  It added that closing the safe havens of insurgents and terrorists is pivotal for a peaceful end to the crisis in Afghanistan.  According to the TOLO News report, Mullah Baradar and the Taliban's negotiating team visited Pakistan last week shortly after they announced the halting of the peace talks for 23 days before they begin again on January 5, 2021.