US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad on Saturday thanked Pakistan for its efforts to support the ongoing Afghan peace process.
The US envoy, who wrapped up his two-day visit to Islamabad Saturday evening, took to Twitter appreciating Pakistan for re-affirming that ‘Afghans alone’ will determine their future. He further said that there is always more work to be done in this regard. “Just wrapped up two days in #Islamabad. Thanked #Pakistan for recent efforts supporting the #AfghanPeaceProcess and for re-affirming the understanding that ultimately Afghans, and Afghans alone, will determine their future. Always more work to be done. Back to #Kabul!” he posted on his Twitter handle.
A day earlier, Pakistan and the United States held delegation-level talks at the Foreign Office in Islamabad and discussed progress on the Afghan peace process.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua while the US delegation was headed by Khalilzad.
Following the delegation-level talks, the US envoy separately met with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other civil military officials.
According to the US State Department, Khalilzad’s visit was aimed at consulting the Afghan government and other stakeholders about the status of Washington’s talks with the Taliban. “The trip was part of an overall effort to facilitate a peace process that brings all Afghan parties together in inclusive intra-Afghan negotiations,” the State Department had said.
Khalilzad is heading back to the region for a new round of talks, the US State Department had said, without confirming he would hold fresh talks with the Taliban but said he would stop in Qatar, the usual location for negotiations with the group.
The last negotiations between Khalilzad and the Taliban closed on March 12 in Doha and appeared to make headway.
The emphasis on negotiations among Afghans comes as the Taliban refuse to sit down for talks with the internationally recognised government of President Ashraf Ghani, despite US appeals.
An outline of a deal is expected to see the United States withdrawing from Afghanistan in return for the Taliban promising not to let the country be used by foreign extremists – the reason for the US attack following the 9/11 attacks.
President Donald Trump has voiced impatience with continuing America’s longest war and late last year ordered the withdrawal of half the 14,000-strong US troop contingent.
Khalilzad will visit United Kingdom, Belgium, Uzbekistan, Jordan and Qatar during his current trip which runs from March 25 to April 10.
The US Embassy in Islamabad in a statement issued on Saturday after conclusion of the visit said Special Representative Khalilzad met with Foreign Minister Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Janjua, and Chief of Army Staff Gen Bajwa.
“In his meetings, Ambassador Khalilzad thanked the Pakistani leaders for their assistance in facilitating the travel of the Taliban’s negotiating team. Both sides discussed how peace in Afghanistan will also benefit Pakistan and can unlock opportunities for regional economic integration and development. The United States looks to Pakistan to continue playing a positive role in supporting the peace process,” the statement read.