Pakistan, US agree to pursue Afghan peace process

05 Apr, 2019

This was agreed during the meetings of the Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, Special Representative of US Secretary of State for Afghanistan Reconciliation who arrived here for talks with Pakistani       leadership.

After arriving Ambassador Khalilzad called on the Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Foreign Office said, adding that he briefed the Foreign Minister on the outcome of Doha talks and his recent engagements in the region. He also shared updates on his meetings in Afghanistan and the dynamics of the Intra-Afghan dialogue.

The Foreign Minister, while appreciating his efforts, reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the peace process. He said that intra-Afghan Dialogue was a vital component of the reconciliation process. He also said that Pakistan wished well for the peace and stability in Afghanistan which would directly benefit Pakistan’s own vision for economic and human development.

Earlier, Ambassador Khalilzad had delegation level talks with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua. Ambassador Khalilzad was accompanied by an interagency delegation. Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua was assisted by senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence.

The Foreign Secretary also briefed him about telephonic conversation between Foreign Minister Qureshi and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. She informed about their mutual interest in further progress on Afghanistan peace efforts and that they agreed to remain engaged to pursue the reconciliation process.

Before arriving in Islamabad, Khalilzad held talks with Afghan leadership in Kabul including Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and others.

The top US envoy will also hold meetings with high military officials of Pakistan to discuss issues of mutual interest and Afghan peace process.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019

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