US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad calls on COAS, regional security matters discussed

RAWALPINDI: US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday, said an Inter-Services Public Relations press release.

According to the army’s media cell, matters related to regional stability and Afghan peace process were discussed in the meeting.

The US envoy appreciated Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process, said the ISPR.

On Monday, Representatives from the Afghan Taliban met officials from the United States in the United Arab Emirates, in another bid to find shared ground to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan. The meeting also included representatives from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and UAE.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal confirmed that the talks were held in UAE, and said Pakistan hoped for an end to bloodshed in Afghanistan.

Last week, the US said it welcomed the actions Pakistan has taken to promote a negotiated solution to the war in neighbouring Afghanistan.

The acknowledgement came a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan announced Pakistan had arranged another round of US peace talks with the Afghan Taliban.

“The United States welcomes any actions by the Pakistani government to promote greater cooperation, including fostering negotiations between the Taliban, the Afghan government, and other Afghans,” a US embassy spokesperson in Kabul had told Voice of America.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump wrote a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan seeking Pakistan’s assistance in the Afghan peace process.

Trump also sought Pakistan’s assistance in bringing the Taliban leadership to the negotiating table, it was revealed by the Pakistani premier.

The letter was followed by a visit from Khalilzad to Islamabad, during which the US envoy reiterated Trump’s desire to seek Pakistan’s cooperation for peace and stability in Afghanistan.