Escalating violence in Afghanistan unacceptable: US

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): A senior US diplomat has hailed Pakistan and its actions against militant organisations.

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia Ambassador Alice G. Wells, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, acknowledged Pakistan’s commitment to peace in the region had grown.

Addressing an online media briefing, she asked Pakistan for decisive action against the militant outfits, particularly those fighting across the border in Afghanistan.

Pakistan had adopted concrete measures steps to encourage the Taliban to advance the Afghan peace process, the US official admitted, referring to the arrest and prosecution of Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed.

Wells, who is going to retire on May 22, said Pakistan’s relations with the United States had improved, particularly in the field of trade, over the last three years.

After more than a year of talks, the US and the Taliban inked a peace deal, the diplomat said, insisting her country was upholding its commitment and closely looking at the situation.

The escalating violence in Afghanistan was unacceptable to the US, remarked the ambassador, who also welcomed the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan.

About terror activities like the recent attacks by the Islamic State in Afghanistan, she urged the government in Kabul and the Taliban to jointly fight such outfits.

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