US diplomat in Islamabad on second visit in less than month

Wells meets foreign secretary, matters of mutual interest discussed

ISLAMABAD: United States diplomat Alice Wells arrived in Islamabad on Monday.

This is Wells' second visit to Pakistan in a little less than a month and  third to Pakistan over 2018 till date.

The acting State Department South and Central Asia assistant secretary  met Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Matter of mutual interest including restrictions on Pakistani diplomats in the United States, Afghanistan and other regional issues were discussed over the meeting.



During her earlier visit the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and discussed regional issues. Both sides agreed that the momentum of the peace initiative unveiled by President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul and followed up in Tashkent had to be maintained. Mechanisms facilitating return of refugees and strengthening border management were also discussed. Both sides also reiterated their firm commitment to act against all groups targeting Pakistan and Afghanistan.



The foreign secretary also apprised the visiting delegation of continued ceasefire violations by India that undermined stability of the region. Pakistan’s position of a comprehensive dialogue presenting the only way forward  to resolve outstanding issues was  reiterated.

Noting that the US and Pakistan had a long track record of cooperation, Ambassador Wells emphasised the importance of working together to achieve the common objectives of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.