Close allies of former Afghan King Mohammed Zahir Shah say he is planning to send an envoy to Pakistan to discuss the possibilities of a post-Taleban government in Afghanistan.
The exiled king, who currently lives in Rome, has not made any decision about whom he will send or when. But the envoy will meet soon with the Pakistani government, which was the Taleban's main backer until last month's terrorist attacks.
The former king agreed earlier this week to work with the Afghan opposition to set up a post-Taleban government in Afghanistan. His aides say he wants to assure Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf that if the Taleban rulers are overthrown, the new government will work closely with its neighbor for peace.
The king ruled Afghanistan for 40 years until he was overthrown in 1973.