-US Special Envoy calls on Gen Bajwa at GHQ
-Regional security matters also discussed
-Washington lauds Islamabad’s efforts for peace and stability in region
RAWALPINDI: United States (US) Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad on Monday called on Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters (GHQ), said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement.
According to the ISPR, matters pertaining to the regional security situation and the Afghan peace process were discussed.
Zalmay Khalilzad lauded the efforts of Pakistan for peace in the region during his meeting with COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Commander Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan General Austin Scott Miller was also present in the meeting.
It is pertinent to mention here that Zalmay Khalilzad, who had remained active in finalizing a historic deal between the United States and Afghan Taliban, is now working with Pakistan to make the intra-Afghan dialogue a success.
He had frequently visited the country and met with the COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa for the purpose.
In one such meeting US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa in Rawalpindi on January 04.
After meeting with COAS, US envoy on January 4 in a series of tweets said “parties will make tangible progress in the next round of Afghanistan peace negotiations.”
“Both sides must demonstrate they are acting in the best interest of the Afghan people by making real compromises and negotiating an agreement on a political settlement as soon as possible and an immediate significant reduction in violence/ceasefire,” he said.
He further said the current level of violence including target killings was unacceptable. “These perpetuating the violence seek to undermine the peace process and the country’s future. They do not reflect the will of the Afghan people, who earn for peace,” Ambassador Khalilzad pointed out. The intra-Afghan talks are set to restart just a couple of weeks before Joe Biden takes over the White House.
The urgency on part of the US suggests that Biden may follow the same approach on the Afghan peace process. He may not have taken oath formally but observers believe that being the incoming President, he must have been receiving all the briefs on the current situation in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has played a key role in facilitating the US-Taliban deal as well as the intra-Afghan talks. The visit by Ambassador Khalilzad just a day before the resumption of the second round of talks suggests that the US still needs Pakistan’s support to get the final peace deal through.–ISPR
