The United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, is expected to arrive here today (Friday) following holding talks with Taliban leadership in Doha focusing on reduction of violence in Afghanistan.

According to the State Department, Ambassador Khalilzad will meet with Pakistani officials and also discuss the Afghan peace process.

On May 5, the State Department stated that the Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation will travel to Doha, New Delhi, and Islamabad.

"At each stop, he will urge support for an immediate reduction in violence, accelerated timeline for the start of intra-Afghan negotiations, and cooperation among all sides in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in Afghanistan," it stated, adding that in New Delhi, Khalilzad will meet with Indian officials to discuss the important role of India in sustainable peace in Afghanistan and the region.

While in Doha, according to Suhail Shaheen, the spokesperson for Taliban's Doha political offices, Ambassador Khalilzad held a meeting with the Taliban delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.

"The discussions focused on early release of prisoners, intra-Afghan negotiations, and the complete implementation of the peace agreement [of February 29, 2020] came under discussion," he stated in a tweet.