Afghan peace process: US special envoy meets Pak army chief
Washington, Mar 09: US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and Commander Resolute Support Mission General Austin Scott Miller on Monday met Pakistan's powerful army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa here and discussed the Afghan peace process.
Khalilzad's visit to Pakistan, first under the Biden administration, comes amidst rising violence in Afghanistan and lack of clarity of policy by the new US government towards Afghanistan.
Ambassador Khalilzad and Gen Miller called on Gen Bajwa at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi wherein they discussed 'matters of mutual interest, regional security and the ongoing Afghanistan reconciliation process,' according to a brief statement by the army.
'The
visiting
dignitary
greatly
appreciated
Pakistan's
role
in
the
ongoing
peace
process," the
statement
added.
The
Biden
administration,
which
is
currently
reviewing
its
Afghan
policy,
has
asked
Khalilzad
to
continue
with
his
position
and
lead
the
Afghan
peace
process.
PM Modi- Afghan President Ghani to meet virtually today
Khalilzad and his team last week concluded three days of productive consultations in Kabul with government officials, civil society and women leaders, and other Afghan political figures.
'The Islamic Republic and the Taliban must find a path to a political settlement and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire. In Kabul, I discussed various options/alternatives to propel the process forward,' Khalilzad said in a tweet after concluding his talks in Afghanistan.
Recommended Video
The Biden administration has decided to review the Doha deal the Trump administration had signed with the Taliban in February 2020. The deal provided for the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, effectively drawing curtains to Washington's 18-year war in the country. The US has lost over 2,400 soldiers in Afghanistan since late 2001.