US diplomats due in Islamabad for talks on Afghanistan

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan and the United States are set to hold fresh negotiations on the Afghan peace process in Islamabad today (Monday).

The latest round of talks is part of regular consultation on the bilateral relationship and Afghan peace process, the Foreign Office spokesman said on Sunday.

US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice Wells are due in Islamabad today.

During his visit to Kabul did not recognise the changes that have happened in the country since 2001.

He claimed the Taliban had acknowledged making a lot of mistakes during their stay in power from 1996 to 2001, and they had learnt a great deal.

Expected to meet soon Taliban envoys in Doha, he called for the inclusion of all sides in an intra-Afghan dialogue.  “We have started discussion for the withdrawal of the [US] forces, but for the past few weeks my struggles were focused on providing a ground for intra-Afghan talks.”

Khalilzad admitted ample progress had not been made yet to bring all parties to the negotiating table. The US was a bit impatient to end the war, which costs Washington $45 billion annually.

Khalilzad has lauded Prime Minister Imran Khan’s stance on Afghanistan had the potential to positively transform the region and give Pakistan a leading role.

Foreign Office spokesman Dr Faisal said Khalilzad would hold meetings with Pakistani officials. He will be accompanied by US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Ambassador Alice Wells.

According to Taliban’s political spokesman Suhail Shaheen, their talks with the US will focus on the two core issues, including the pullout of American forces from Afghanistan.

mud