United States Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ambassador Alice G Wells on Tuesday called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa at General Headquarters. During the meeting, both reaffirmed the commitment towards the common goal of peace and stability in the region, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). A statement issued by the ISPR said that the two leaders exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, regional security, and cooperation between both the countries. “Wells commended the sacrifices and resilience of the people and the armed forces of Pakistan, and appreciated the role Pakistan Army has played in battling the scourge of terrorism,” the statement said, adding that the COAS and Wells also agreed on continued engagement at multiple levels. The principal deputy assistant secretary also called on finance minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar to discuss economic ties between the two countries. The minister briefed Alice Wells about Pakistan’s participation in the recently concluded Financial Action Task Force meeting in Paris. She said Pakistan had reiterated its strong commitment to take every possible step to root out the menace of terror financing and money laundering. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Kabul over the weekend, Alice Wells had said that the Taliban leaders residing outside Afghanistan posed a threat to the United States-led Afghan peace process. She explained that American leadership desired decisive moves in peace talks. “Right now it’s the Taliban leaders, and frankly it’s Taliban leaders who aren’t residing in Afghanistan, who are the obstacle to a negotiated political settlement,” she was quoted as saying. Published in Daily Times, July 4th 2018.