KHANLILZAD THANKS PAKISTAN FOR FACILITATING AFGHAN PEACE PROCESS
U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad visited Islamabad on January 31st on Friday. In his meetings with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and other government officials, Ambassador Khalilzad discussed U.S. efforts to facilitate a political settlement to end the war in Afghanistan.
According to a press release issued by the foreign office, Khalilzad, who arrived in Pakistan today from Qatar, met with Qureshi at the Foreign Office in Islamabad. During their exchange, the US envoy praised Pakistan’s efforts for lasting peace in Afghanistan while briefing the foreign minister about the most recent talks with the Taliban.
“The finalization of a peace treaty between the Taliban and the US will pave the way for inter-Afghan dialogue, which would not only benefit Afghanistan but the whole region,” Qureshi was quoted as saying.
During the meeting, Qureshi assured the US envoy that Pakistan will continue to support efforts to bring peace in Afghanistan. Both sides agreed to carry on their respective efforts in this regard. In a separate meeting with Gen Bajwa at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Khalilzad discussed “matters of mutual interest including overall regional security situation and ongoing Afghanistan Reconciliation Process”, a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations said.
He welcomed Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to support a reduction in violence that will pave the way for a U.S.-Taliban agreement, intra-Afghan negotiations, and a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in support of a sustainable peace. Ambassador Khalilzad also continued to emphasize the economic and security benefits that a lasting peace can bring to the region.
