US praises Pakistan’s role in Afghan peace process

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): The US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation and the Pakistan army chief have discussed Afghan peace process and other issues of common interest.

Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad met Gen, Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters in the garrison town of Rawalpindi on Monday, the Pakistan Army’s media wing said.

Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, and members of the Khalilzad-led delegation also attended the meeting.

Khalilzad arrived in Islamabad from Doha, where the historic intra-Afghan dialogue commenced on Saturday, at the head of a three-member delegation of senior US officials.

A statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations said: "A delegation headed by Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad called on the chief of army staff (COAS) at the General Headquarters."

Matters of mutual interest, regional security and the ongoing Afghan reconciliation process in Afghanistan were discussed during the meeting, the statement added.

"The visiting dignitary greatly appreciated Pakistan's role in the ongoing peace process and said it could not have succeeded without Pakistan's sincere and unconditional support," the ISPR said.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had laid out a clear vision for peace and connectivity in the region, Gen. Bajwa said, claiming there was a national consensus on turning that vision into a reality to ensure long-awaited peace, progress and prosperity in the region.

Khalilzad and the delegation he headed to Pakistan for consultations commended Islamabad’s assistance in efforts for ending the war in Afghanistan.

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