High level visit: James Dobbins arrives for post-Afghan poll talks
The US is pushing for a peace deal with insurgents before its forces leave the country.
James Dobbins. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan James Dobbins arrived on Wednesday to hold talks with senior Pakistani officials on the Afghanistan situation against the backdrop of the recent presidential elections.
The US Embassy spokesperson confirmed that Dobbins landed in Islamabad as part of his visit to the region to discuss a wide range of issues.
A Foreign Office official said President Barrack Obama’s point-man for the region would meet Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and other senior officials. The talks would focus on Afghanistan with particular reference to the recent presidential elections.
Dobbins and Pakistani officials are also expected to discuss how to revive the reconciliation process in Afghanistan once the new government is formed in the war-torn country.
Efforts to bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table are believed to have been delayed due to the presidential elections in Afghanistan. “There has been hardly any progress in talks in recent months because of Afghanistan’s preoccupation with elections,” said a Pakistani government official, who asked to remain anonymous.
The US is pushing for a peace deal with insurgents before its forces leave the country by the end of this year.
Other issues that are likely to figure prominently during the discussions include bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and the US, particularly the strategic dialogue.
Although, several working groups have met over the past few months as part of the strategic dialogue, there is no indication as yet about the ministerial meeting to be jointly chaired by the foreign ministers from the two sides.
Pakistani officials are also expected to brief the top US diplomat about the government’s efforts to strike a peace deal with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Published in The Express Tribune, April 24th, 2014.
US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan James Dobbins arrived on Wednesday to hold talks with senior Pakistani officials on the Afghanistan situation against the backdrop of the recent presidential elections.
The US Embassy spokesperson confirmed that Dobbins landed in Islamabad as part of his visit to the region to discuss a wide range of issues.
A Foreign Office official said President Barrack Obama’s point-man for the region would meet Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and other senior officials. The talks would focus on Afghanistan with particular reference to the recent presidential elections.
Dobbins and Pakistani officials are also expected to discuss how to revive the reconciliation process in Afghanistan once the new government is formed in the war-torn country.
Efforts to bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table are believed to have been delayed due to the presidential elections in Afghanistan. “There has been hardly any progress in talks in recent months because of Afghanistan’s preoccupation with elections,” said a Pakistani government official, who asked to remain anonymous.
The US is pushing for a peace deal with insurgents before its forces leave the country by the end of this year.
Other issues that are likely to figure prominently during the discussions include bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and the US, particularly the strategic dialogue.
Although, several working groups have met over the past few months as part of the strategic dialogue, there is no indication as yet about the ministerial meeting to be jointly chaired by the foreign ministers from the two sides.
Pakistani officials are also expected to brief the top US diplomat about the government’s efforts to strike a peace deal with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Published in The Express Tribune, April 24th, 2014.