Islamabad
The United States special envoy for Afghan peace Zalmay Khalilzad on Friday “appreciated Pakistan’s wholehearted support to the process” as he wrapped up a two-day visit to the country.
In a meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the US envoy also “expressed hope that others would follow in same vein”, according to a statement released by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The handout by the military’s media wing said that the meeting was held in the backdrop of ongoing discussions and efforts underway to secure peace in Afghanistan.
“Both shared the steps taken in this regards and agreed to continue working towards mutually agreed goals,” said the statement.
Gen Bajwa assured Khalilzad that Pakistan will play its role to its “fullest potential” for peace in Afghanistan and the region.
During his visit to Islamabad to discuss “developments in the Afghan peace process”, Khalilzad also met with Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, a statement by the US Embassy said.During the discussions “Khalilzad outlined the positive momentum in the Afghan peace process and next steps.”
The role Pakistan has played thus far, as well as additional positive steps it can take also came under deliberation.
“Consolidating peace will require reliable assurances from Afghanistan and Pakistan that neither side’s territory is used to threaten the other’s,” read the US Embassy statement.
“Such assurances on top of an intra-Afghan comprehensive peace agreement will allow for increased regional economic integration, connectivity, and development,” it concluded.
