US assures Pakistan of ‘continuous assistance’ for Afghan peace

US Charge d’ Affaires Angela Aggeler and Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa discuss Afghan reconciliation and regional security

US diplomat Angela Aggeler met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the military's headquarters in Rawalpindi and discussed issues related to regional security and Afghan peace process.

“#US Charge d’ Affaires met #COAS. Regional security sit, Afg[han] Peace Process discussed,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Thursday.

The US diplomat appreciated Pakistan’s contributions for conflict prevention in the region and relentless support provided in Afghan peace process, it added.

According to the military’s media wing, the American official also assured Islamabad of US continuous assistance “for common cause of peace in Afghanistan”.

#US Charge d’ Affaires met #COAS. Regional security sit, Afg Peace Process discussed. Visiting dignitary appreciated Pak’s contributions 4 conflict prevention in region & relentless support provided in Afg Peace Process, assured US cont assistance 4 common cause of peace in Afg. pic.twitter.com/AeJqkrxq4G

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) November 19, 2020

 

Angela Aggeler’s visit comes at a time when Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Afghanistan earlier in the day and held talks with President Ashraf Ghani that focused on deepening of bilateral ties, intra-Afghan peace process and regional economic development.

PM Imran assured the Afghan government of Pakistan’s unflinching support and cooperation to end violence in Afghanistan including a ceasefire.

Pakistan had played a major role in brokering the landmark deal in February that envisages a timeline for the US troops’ withdrawal from the war-torn country in return for the Taliban agreeing to not allow its soil to be used by terrorist groups.

On Tuesday, the Pentagon had said that outgoing President Donald Trump would sharply reduce the number of US forces in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500 by mid-January.