COAS Gen Bajwa, US envoy Khalilzad discuss ongoing Afghan peace process

COAS Gen Bajwa, US envoy Khalilzad discuss ongoing Afghan peace process

Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad Bajwa met at the General Headquarters (GHQ) on Friday.

According to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief and the US envoy discussed the regional situation and matters of mutual interest, including the Afghan reconciliation process.

The ISPR statement said that Zalmay Khalilzad praised Pakistan’s efforts for promoting peace in the region.

This is pertinent to mention here that the the meeting between COAS Bajwa and the US envoy takes place a couple of weeks after the Taliban showed a "willingness to reduce violence", according to Pakistan.

"The Taliban have expressed their willingness to the demand of reduction in violence. In my opinion, this is a step towards a peace agreement," Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said a couple of weeks ago in a video message.

Earlier, Zalmay Khalilzad also met with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the Foreign Office in Islamabad.

Talking to the US envoy on the occasion, FM Qureshi said that a peace agreement between the US and the Taliban will pave the way for intra-Afghan dialogue, which will prove useful for peace and stability not only in Afghanistan but the entire region.

The two sides agreed to continue consultation to make joint efforts for Afghan peace process.

Ambassador Khalilzad informed FM Qureshi about details of current situation of the ongoing talks with the Taliban and also appreciated Pakistan's reconciliatory role.