Zalmay Khalilzad put no conditions to Pakistan: FO

ISLAMABAD: Special representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad stressed the United States’ commitment to facilitating a political settlement between the Afghan government and the Taliban that ensures Afghanistan never again serves as a platform for international terrorism and ends the 40-years-long war in the country.

In his meetings, with Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa he highlighted that all countries in the region will benefit from peace in Afghanistan, a statement of the US embassy said here on Thursday.

The Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad was on the visit to Islamabad from December 4-6, 2018 to follow up on discussions held in October.  During the meeting, Special Representative Khalilzad met with Prime Minister Khan, Foreign Minister Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Janjua, Chief of Army Staff Bajwa, and members of the diplomatic corps in Islamabad.

Spokesperson of Foreign Office (FO) Dr. Muhammad Faisal said that US special envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalamay Khalilzad put forward no conditions to Pakistan during his visit.

Addressing the media in weekly press brief, Dr. Faisal stated that US president Donald Trump’s letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan highlighted the fact that Afghanistan is an important issue of the region.

Shedding light on the recent visit of the US representative, Dr. Faisal said, Khalilzad met with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and assured him of cooperation, clarifying further that no conditions were put up by the US administration to Pakistan for the course of Afghanistan peace process.

He added, Pakistan has also initiated a discussion with the US pertaining to the coalition support fund.

Referring to Kartarpur Border opening, the spokesperson asserted, “The Kartarpur corridor will not move the limelight from Kashmir issue and it should be kept in mind that Kashmir tops the agenda of Pakistan.”

The spokesperson continued, “India should stop misleading the world and should accept actual facts.”

Outlining the country’s foreign policy, he mentioned “Pakistan wants reconciliation with India on occupied Kashmir issue and others and we are hoping for a positive response from them.”

Further, the Foreign Office reiterated that the solution to the Afghan war is political, not military. Pakistan believes in moving forward.”

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