ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan says the second round of peace talks between the Kabul government and the Taliban, which was due Friday, has been postponed after a statement from the Afghan insurgents indicated they were pulling out of the negotiations.

Thursday's development is likely a significant blow to the peace process. It follows Kabul's announcement the day before of the death of the reclusive Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar.

A Pakistani Foreign Ministry statement says the talks were postponed because of the "uncertainty" caused by the death announcement. It says Afghan Taliban leadership also requested the postponement.

The ministry gave no new date for the talks. The first official face-to-face talks between the two sides were held earlier in July near Islamabad.