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US asks Pakistan to help in Afghan-Taliban peace talks

US asks Pakistan to help in Afghan-Taliban peace talks
June 9, 2018
WASHINGTON (92 News) – The United Stated has asked Pakistan to help in Afghan-Taliban peace talks and assistance in peace process in Afghanistan. In his statement, Deputy Assistant to the US president and Senior Director for South and Central Asia at the National Security Council, Lisa Curtis said she said that the US has also sought to understand Islamabad's core security concerns. White House official said that regional engagement is central to America's efforts in Afghanistan. “We have asked for Pakistan’s assistance in facilitating a peace process and we have sought to understand Pakistan’s own core security concerns and ensure that its interests are taken into account in any peace process,” she said while speaking at the US Institute of Peace. Curtis also made it clear that Washington’s latest attempt at seeking Pakistan’s support for Afghan peace talks times with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s offer of ceasefire to the Afghan Taliban during Eidul Fitr holidays that follow the conclusion of Ramzan, Islam’s holy month of fasting. On the other hand, the Taliban spokesperson said that they are consulting regarding this offer by the Afghan government. Earlier this week, US Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made calls to Pakistan’s leaders, including interim prime minister and Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, breaking months of stalemate in bilateral relations.