RAWALPINDI – US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad on Friday called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at Pakistan’s army general headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, according to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
During the meeting, overall regional security situation with particular reference to ongoing Afghan reconciliation process was discussed.
The ISPR said that the visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s efforts towards peace process.
Earlier today, Khalilzad also met Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad.
During the meeting, Qureshi said “Pakistan wishes well for the peace and stability in Afghanistan, which will directly benefit Pakistan’s own vision for economic and human development.”
The foreign minister, while appreciating his efforts, reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the Afghan peace process. He said that intra-Afghan dialogue is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
The US envoy 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.
Before calling on the foreign minister, Ambassador Khalilzad held delegation level talks with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, who 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.
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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.
Pakistan, which Washington and Kabul have long accused of harboring the Taliban leadership, is seen as playing a key role in securing a peace agreement.
The veteran, Afghan-born diplomat has been shuttling back and forth to the region in a bid to garner support for a peace deal with the Taliban to end nearly 18 years of war in Afghanistan.
Khalilzad has held several rounds of talks with Taliban negotiators in Qatar, saying after the latest rounds of talks in March that the sides had made “real strides.”
Before his Pakistan trip, Khalilzad visited Britain, Belgium, and Afghanistan. He is expected to travel to Uzbekistan and Jordan before an expected new round of talks with the Taliban in Qatar’s capital, Doha, reportedly due to begin in mid-April.
