US, Pakistan confer on post-withdrawal Afghanistan

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): The United States and Pakistan have agreed to continue bilateral discussions on post-withdrawal Afghanistan.

The agreement came during a meeting between the US chargé d’affaires, Angela Aggeler, Pakistan army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Besides continued discussions on post-withdrawal Afghanistan, they also agreed to keep in touch on the stalled Afghan peace process, the army’s media wing said.

Matters of mutual interest, the overall regional security situation, including recent developments in the Afghan peace process, and bilateral cooperation in various fields were discussed, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

A statement from ISPR said the meeting between the US diplomat and the army chief was part of the ongoing engagement on Afghanistan between the two countries.

It added: “The US dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s sincere efforts for bringing peace and stability to the region, especially the Afghan peace process.”

Earlier in the month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had a telephone conversation on issues including Afghanistan.

The US is said to be seeking military bases in Pakistan after the withdrawal of its troops from the neighbouring country.

However, Pakistan says it will neither allow American bases — a highly emotive issue for the people — on its soil nor the kinetic use of drones.

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