Pakistan and the
United States? on Monday acknowledged that the ongoing peace talks provided a ‘historic opportunity’ to end the prolonged Afghan conflict.This came after, US Secretary of State’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells held delegation-level talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The two US officials are visiting Islamabad as part of regular consultations on the Afghan peace process, Pakistan-US bilateral relationship and regional security situation.The talks in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were led by Ambassador Aftab Khokher, Additional Secretary (Americas) from Pakistan’s side.Senior officials from the ministries of foreign affairs and defense as well as Pakistan’s ambassador to Kabul were also present in the meeting. Ambassador Wells and Ambassador Khalilzad were accompanied by an inter-agency delegation.An official handout issued by the Foreign Office said the two sides reviewed recent developments regarding the Afghan peace process.It was underlined that this was a historic opportunity to end the prolonged Afghan conflict for which all Afghan stakeholders as well as Afghanistan’s neighbours had an important role to play.Pakistan reiterated its support for intra-Afghan dialogue, which is vital to move the process forward.It was highlighted that the prospective agreement in Afghanistan should contribute towards bringing lasting peace and stability leading to international cooperation and development in Afghanistan.The Pakistani side also emphasized the need of creating an environment in Afghanistan conducive for early and dignified return of Afghan refugees to their homeland.
