US senior official Alice Wells arrives in Pakistan to discuss South Asia strategy

Alice Wells will meet with US Embassy staff and multiple Pakistani officials

ISLAMABAD: Acting State Department South and Central Asia Assistant Secretary Alice Wells arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday to discuss matters pertaining to terrorism and bilateral ties.

Alice G. Wells met the Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is Ambassador Wells second visit to Pakistan this year which aims at continuing the Pak-US conversation  to strengthen bilateral relations and promote peace and security in the region.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and discussed regional issues particularly on Afghanistan. Both sides agreed that the momentum of the peace initiative unveiled in Kabul by President Ashraf Ghani and followed up in Tashkent needs to be carried forward.

Mechanisms for return of refugees and strengthening border management were also discussed. Both sides also reiterated their firm commitments to act against all groups that target Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Foreign Secretary also apprised the visiting delegation of the continued ceasefire violations by India that undermined stability of the region. Pakistan’s position that a comprehensive dialogue was the only way forward for civilized nations to resolve outstanding issues was reiterated.

Noting that the US and Pakistan had a long track record of cooperation, Ambassador Wells emphasized the importance of working together to achieve the common objectives of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region. The two sides agreed to continue bilateral engagements at all levels.

Alice Wells met with US Embassy staff and multiple Pakistani officials earlier. She is also expected to visit Karachi later.

'In Islamabad, she [Wells] will meet with US Embassy staff and several senior Pakistani government officials, international organisation leaders, and members of the private sector," a statement released by US State Department shared.

"While in Islamabad, Wells will discuss our South Asia strategy and Pakistan’s stated commitment to eliminate all terrorist groups present in its country, as well as our shared interest in building economic and commercial ties that benefit both nations," it added.



The senior official will also travel to Karachi to meet with government officials and the business community.

On March 11, Wells had stated that US believes Pakistan can play a much more important role in shaping the Afghan Taliban’s behaviour.

She stressed on Islamabad’s critical role to provide incentives to the Afghan Taliban for undertaking negotiations with the Ashraf Ghani government.

Wells earlier said the US President Donald Trump administration had calibrated a very different relationship with Islamabad than other administrations.  “We have gone much further in underscoring the importance and the centrality of this issue in our ability to expand relations with Pakistan.”