US appreciates Pakistan's role for Afghan peace process

US Ambassador Paul Jones calls on General Qamar on his farewell visit

ISLAMABAD:

Ambassador of United States Paul Wayne Jones has appreciated Pakistan’s positive role for Afghan reconciliation process and ensuring peace and stability in the region, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

According to the military's media wing, the US envoy expressed these views during a farewell visit to Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday.

The army chief thanked the ambassador for his services and contributions in Pakistan.

On August 12, the outgoing Afghan envoy Shukrullah Atif Mashal also paid a farewell call on General Qamar at GHQ in Rawalpindi.

“The dignitary thanked COAS for support to Afghanistan and Afghan peace process during his tenure,” the ISPR said in a statement.

Islamabad has played a key role in brokering the talks between the Taliban and the US and has since then been closely engaged with all relevant parties to take this process to the logical conclusion.

The first round of intra-Afghan dialogue is expected to take place in Doha while talks may shift to either Germany or Norway in the second phase.

The intra-Afghan talks will discuss the future political dispensation of Afghanistan and a power-sharing arrangement between the Taliban and other groups.

On its part, the US plans to limit its number of troops to 5,000 by the end of November. Pakistan, China and other neighbours of Afghanistan want the orderly withdrawal of foreign forces from the Afghan soil.

This past weekend Pakistan welcomed the Afghan Loya Jirga or Grand Assembly's approval to release remaining 400 Taliban prisoners, paving way for the much-anticipated intra-Afghan talks.