Pakistan, US agree to enhance coordination for Afghan peace process

Agreement is the outcome of recent meeting between PM Abbasi and US VP Mike Pence


Amir Khan March 23, 2018
PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: Pakistan and United States have agreed to increase contacts for the resolution of all issues. The officials of both the governments will meet after mutual consultation. Agenda of talks will include issues like cooperation in eradicating terrorism and assistance in Afghan reconciliation process.

The delegations of both the governments are expected to visit each other’s countries once the schedule of meeting is decided.

The agreement is the outcome of recent meeting between Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and US Vice President Mike Pence.

According to the sources in the diplomatic channels, Pakistan has once again told US that it will not accept any ‘do-more’ demands.

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If United States has proof of any terrorist safe haven it should share it with Pakistan. Pakistan will not allow US or any other country to take action on its land. There will be no joint action either.

Pakistan has clarified that it is ready to cooperate in the Afghan reconciliation process according to its national security policy. For this purpose, all stakeholders including Afghan government and the US will have to prepare a framework for joint dialogue policy.

Sources told that the ‘do-more’ and ‘dialogue’ policies cannot go side by side. If the US wants coordinated relations with Pakistan, the country will have to adopt a balanced policy.

US authorities have assured Pakistan that the Trump administration will continue dialogue on all issues and all the reservations will be addressed in an amiable manner.

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According to the sources, the efforts to hold backdoor diplomacy started after Afghan government’s announcement to initiate talks with Taliban for the restoration of the reconciliation process.

The coordinators and the influential religious scholars want the Afghan Taliban to make a formal announcement of a coordination committee. The objective is that an area of Afghanistan is announced ‘safe zone’ where the parties can hold talks for peace process.

Pakistan and Afghanistan also discussed the reconciliatory talks during National Security Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua’s recent visit to Afghanistan.

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Both the countries have hinted at adopting a coordinated policy for resumption of talks with Taliban.

Officials of Pakistan, United States and Afghanistan are in contact with each other for gradual resumption of talks for Afghan reconciliation process and progress is expected soon.

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