FM Qureshi assures Zalmay Khalilzad of peace support in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday met US Special Envoy on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and assured him that Islamabad would continue to sincerely play the role of a facilitator in the Afghan peace process.

The US special envoy is in Pakistan on a two-day official visit.

The foreign minister also noted that peace in Afghanistan was imperative for peace and stability in the region and reiterated Pakistan’s stance that there was no military solution to the Afghan conflict.

“Pakistan hopes that US-Afghan talks will soon resume as peace in the region depends upon stability in Afghanistan,” said Qureshi.

The US envoy also apprised the foreign minister regarding the ongoing talks with the Taliban and discussed the overall security situation of the region.

Khalilzad also appreciated Pakistan’s role for peace in Afghanistan.

The Afghan peace talks were making considerable progress when US President Donald Trump suddenly cancelled them.

However, late in November, Donald Trump made a surprise first visit to Afghanistan after becoming the US president and said, “The Taliban wants to make a deal and we are meeting with them.”

The Taliban also replied positively that they were ready to restart peace talks with the US, raising hopes for a long-elusive peace deal to end the 18-year war.

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