PM Imran, Us envoy Khalilzad discuss Afghan peace and reconciliation process

PM Imran, Us envoy Khalilzad discuss Afghan peace and reconciliation process

Islamabad (Web Desk): US Special Representative for Afghanistan reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad called on Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on Monday.

During the meeting, PM Imran Khan reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast and sincere support to Afghan peace and reconciliation process, the Radio Pakistan reported.

The premier also underlined the need to overcome difficulties in this regard so that an enduring political solution to Afghan conflict could be achieved at the earliest.

Imran Khan stressed that it was important for all sides to take practical steps for checking violence in Afghanistan.

“It was equally important to guard against the negative narratives and efforts by any quarter to undermine the progress made so far through painstaking efforts,” PM Imran asserted.

He said Pakistan will continue to play its role as a sincere and honest friend for establishing peace in Afghanistan.

PM Imran added that achieving sustainable peace and security in Afghanistan and the region is in Pakistan’s best national interest.

This is the second visit of Zalmay Khalilzad to Pakistan in a month. He visited Islamabad in the first week of October and held a meeting with the Afghan delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.

The latest trip of the US envoy to the region that also took him to Kabul and Moscow raised hopes for the resumption of Afghan peace talks.

Meanwhile, Pakistan, Russia and China last week urged the US to resume talks with the Taliban as they believed that 18-year Afghan war could only end through negotiations.