Observer Report
Washington
Acknowledging the importance of Islamabad in the ongoing Afghan reconciliation process, the United States said Prime Minister Imran Khan will be “incredibly crucial” in helping Washington with a peace deal in the war-torn country. “But I would say that obviously that Prime Minister Khan is going to be incredibly crucial in helping us with these – with this peace deal and with this peace negotiation that continues,” said US State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus during a briefing.
The State Department spokesperson elaborated on her remark and added that Trump and Secretary Pompeo had also alluded to the importance of Pakistan’s role in helping the US pursue peace in Afghanistan.
Replying to another question regarding India’s unilateral and illegal move in occupied Kashmir, the spokesperson deflected a question regarding human rights violations in the occupied valley but conceded that there are reports of “detentions and restrictions of residents in Jammu and in Kashmir”. “There are reports, as you’ve mentioned, of detentions and restrictions of residents in Jammu and in Kashmir. And again, that’s why we continue to monitor this very, very closely.”
