US envoy, Gen. Bajwa discuss security in Afghanistan

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): A senior American diplomat and the Pakistan army chief have exchanged views on the security situation in Afghanistan.

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West met Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa in Rawalpindi on Monday. .

“Matters of mutual interest, the current security situation in Afghanistan and bilateral cooperation opportunities in the context were discussed,” the army said in a statement.

Gen Bajwa emphasised global convergence to avert a looming humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan. He said the world and the region could not afford an unstable Afghanistan.

Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian also called on Gen Bajwa. The two sides discussed geo-strategic environment, particularly the situation in Afghanistan.

Defence cooperation and the Pak-Iran border security mechanism also came under discussion, the army said in a separate statement.

Gen Bajwa noted that defence collaboration between Pakistan and Iran had increased over the years.

He described the OIC meeting as a historic development for addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and bringing the international community to a shared vision and joint strategy to find a solution to the emerging challenges in the region.

Abdollahian acknowledged Pakistan’s contributions to regional peace and the important role it was playing in this regard.

The statement added the two sides agreed to stay engaged for enhanced bilateral cooperation while jointly working to mitigate the challenges facing the people of Afghanistan.

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