Khalilzad, Gen Qamar discuss Afghan peace, regional security

US special envoy on Afghanistan meets COAS at GHQ

US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad called on , Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at GHQ in Rawalpindi on Monday, the military said.

“During the meeting matters of mutual interest including overall regional security situation and ongoing Afghan reconciliation process were discussed,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

Khalilzad has emphasised on better ties between Islamabad and Kabul to achieve regional peace.

The US diplomat met the army chief after attending the Refugees Summit in Islamabad co-sponsored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Government of Pakistan to mark 40 years of hosting Afghan refugees in the country.

'For peace we need better ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan'

Expressing his hope of a successful Afghan peace process at the summit, Khalilzad emphasised on better ties between Islamabad and Kabul to achieve regional peace. He said reconciliation and modern thinking will pave way for the war-torn country.

The United States and the Afghan Taliban are on the cusp of signing a peace deal, with observers expressing optimism that the development would not only end the over 18-year-long conflict but also lead to stability in the war-ravaged country.

The imminent peace deal was the result of a 14-month long painstaking negotiation process — brokered and facilitated by Pakistan — between the US and the Taliban.