Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells has underscored the importance of all actors in the region to improve security, stability and cooperation in South Asia, and welcomed the commitment from Pakistan to work towards this goal. Ambassador Wells, who visited Islamabad from November 6-7 to review key items on bilateral agenda, including the upcoming Geneva Conference on Afghanistan and joint efforts to advance the Afghan peace process, reaffirmed the goal expressed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to build a mutually beneficial relationship based on trust, according to a statement issued by the US Embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday. Ambassador Wells met Minister of Finance Asad Umer, senior officials from the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior, and Director General Military Operations Nauman Zakria. She also discussed opportunities to build business and economic ties between the United States and Pakistan, and explored other areas for growth in the bilateral relationship. Ambassador Wells also met think tank representatives, regional security experts, and members of the civil society. She highlighted the United States commitment to work collaboratively to advance the shared goals of the US and Pakistani people. Published in Daily Times, November 8th 2018.