US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad calls on COAS Gen Qamar Bajwa

RAWALPINDI (92 News) – US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa at General Headquarters on Friday. In a message on Twitter, DG ISPR Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said that US Ambassador in Pakistan Paul W Jones was also present. He said that regional security situation with particular reference to ongoing Afghanistan reconciliation process was discussed during the meeting. Earlier, Zalmay Khalilzad met Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at Foreign Ministry during his one-day visit. During the meeting, they discussed the Afghan peace process as well as law and order situation in the region. Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan has been of the view since day one that use of force is no solution to the Afghan issue. “We hope that US-Taliban talks will resume soon. Regional peace and stability is linked to peace in Afghanistan,” he maintained. The minister said that Pakistan will continue to play its reconciliatory role with good intent. US Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad informed Shah Mahmood Qureshi about the US-Taliban talks at the delegation level. He lauded Pakistan’s reconciliatory role for the establishment of peace in Afghanistan.

US officials 'pause' Taliban talks after suicide attack

Reuters add from Kabul: US negotiators are taking a ‘brief pause’ from talks with the Taliban after the militants launched a suicide attack on a US base outside Kabul killing two civilians, Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said on Friday. Khalilzad had renewed talks with the Taliban earlier this month on steps that could lead to a ceasefire and a settlement of the 18-year-long war in Afghanistan. “I met Talibs today, I expressed outrage about attack on Bagram,” Khalilzad wrote on Twitter, referring to the attack on Bagram air base on Wednesday which killed two people and injured more than 70 others. “We’re taking a brief pause for them to consult their leadership on this essential topic,” he added. Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said Friday’s meeting was ‘very good and friendly’. “Both sides decided to resume the talks after a few days of break for consultation,” he said.