US, Pakistan to push for peace in Afghanistan

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Top American and Pakistani officials on Friday agreed to push ahead with efforts for the Afghan peace process, as US-Taliban talks reportedly resumed in Qatar two days ago.

US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad, soon after flying into Islamabad from Qatar, met Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa.

While briefing the foreign minister on the most recent talks with Taliban, Khalilzad commended Pakistan, the Foreign Office said.

"The finalisation of a peace treaty between Taliban and the US will pave the way for intra-Afghan dialogue, which would not only benefit Afghanistan, but the whole region," Qureshi said.

The minister assured the US envoy of Pakistan’s continued support for efforts to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan, according to the Foreign Office.

Hours later, Gen. Bajwa also had a meeting with Khalilzad in the garrison town of Rawalpindi and discussed the Afghan reconciliation process.

A statement from the army’s media win said Khalilzad and Gen, Bajwa also conferred on the regional situation and other issues of mutual interest, including Taliban’s willingness to reduce violence.

Earlier in the day, a Doha-based source confided to Pajhwok Afghan News Ambassador Khalilzad had been in talks with the Taliban for the last two days after his return from Brussels.

The two sides agreed on reduction of violence, the source confirmed, saying the Taliban had promised not to launch attacks on cities, highways and security checkpoints, as well as US troops in Afghanistan.

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