ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has held an important meeting with US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad in the Federal Capital.
US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in Islamabad earlier on Monday evening on an unannounced visit as part of ongoing efforts to restore the stalled peace talks with the Taliban.
During the meeting, the prime minister repeated Pakistan’s sincere support to the Afghan peace and reconciliation process.
Also read: Khalilzad arrives in Kabul to brief Afghan government
A press release issued by the PM office stated that Imran Khan while welcoming Ambassador Khalilzad, reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast and sincere support to the Afghan peace and reconciliation process launched since last year.
He also underlined the need to overcome the difficulties in this regard so that an enduring political solution to the Afghan conflict could be achieved at the earliest.
The prime minister stressed that it was important to guard against the negative narratives and efforts by any quarter to undermine the progress made so far through painstaking efforts.
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The prime minister said, “As a sincere facilitator and a friend, Pakistan remained ready to do everything possible in its capacity, as part of shared responsibility, for early conclusion of a peace deal.”
The prime minister said that achieving sustainable peace and security and ensuring long-term development, progress and prosperity in Afghanistan were in Pakistan’s best national interest.
Also read: Pentagon chief in Afghanistan to kickstart Taliban talks
The US and the Afghan Taliban were close to striking a deal last month but President Donald Trump pulled out of the peace process, citing insurgent group’s continued attacks against the American forces.
The Taliban’s refusal to agree on a ceasefire has developed as a major stumbling block in the way of breaking the impasse. Efforts; however, were being made to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table.
Pakistan has been at the forefront of seeking early resumption of the agreement process.
Also read: Khalilzad meets Afghan Taliban in Islamabad: reports
