Zalmay meets COAS to discuss Afghan peace

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).
According to the ISPR, both of them discussed the regional security situation and the Afghan peace process besides also discussing Pakistan-Afghan border management and measures needed for lasting peace in the neighboring war-torn country.
Zalmay Khalilzad lauded the efforts of Pakistan for peace in the region during his meeting with COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa.
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 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, and commander of NATO’s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan General Austin Scott Miller called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa in Rawalpindi on October 08.
Detailing the meeting, the ISPR, said that matters related to peace and stability in the region, Pak-Afghan border management, current developments in the Afghan peace process, and otherissues were discussed in the meeting. The visiting dignitaries appreciated the positive role being played by Pakistan for Afghan peace process, said ISPR.
In the same effort for peaceful Afghanistan, the US envoy had also called on the army chief last month to discuss matters related to mutual interest, peace and stability in the region, Pak-Afghan border management, and current developments in the Afghan peace process, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations. In October, he had warned that “distressingly high” levels of violence in Afghanistan could derail ongoing peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
“Unfounded charges of violations and inflammatory rhetoric do not advance peace,” he had said in a statement issued in Washington. “Instead, we should pursue strict adherence to all articles of the US-Taliban agreement and US-Afgha¬nistan joint declaration and not neglect the commitment to gradually reduce violence,” he had added.
Meanwhile, the COAS said last week that Pakistan and Afghanistan could not afford the risk of lawlessness and chaos as such a situation would have catastrophic consequences for both countries.
Pakistan has always desired peace in Afghanistan and would spare no effort to restore peace and stability in the neighbouring country, he had said.–ISPR