US special representative praises Pakistan's role in Afghanistan

The ambassador called on army chief General Raheel Sharif and regional security was discussed during the meeting

US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Daniel Feldman praised Pakistan’s role for peace and stability in Afghanistan, ISPR reported on Tuesday.

Feldman called on army chief General Raheel Sharif at the GHQ, where regional security was discussed during the meeting.

Amb Daniel Feldman,USRAP called on #COAS.Regional security discused.Visiting Amb appreciated Pak's +ve role for peace, stability in Afgn

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) March 10, 2015

Pakistan had signalled its willingness to support the process of reconciliation in Afghanistan as reports swirled about the Afghan Taliban negotiators opening dialogue with US officials in the Qatari capital of Doha.

Read: Afghan peace process: Islamabad ready to back peace talks

“Pakistan in all sincerity will support the process … [of] reconciliation between the Afghan government and the Afghan Taliban … as peace in Afghanistan will contribute to peace in the region,” ISPR said in a rare statement on the prospects of peace in the neighbouring country.

“Pakistan has always supported such a process, and re-emphasised it to be absolutely transparent, Afghan-owned and Afghan-led. We hope that all stakeholders will continue to act with responsibility not to allow detractors of peace to succeed,” the ISPR statement said. “The onus for negotiations to succeed lies on both parties concerned.”

However, on March 9, the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs suggested that Pakistan not get involved in the internal affairs of Afghanistan unless officially asked to do so. 

Read: Afghan peace process: FO to brief Senators on Pakistan’s role

“We will ask the government not to interfere in the internal affairs [of Afghanistan] in the name of mediation because such interference in the past proved disastrous for Pakistan’s own security,” said the committee’s chairman, Senator Haji Adeel.

“Pakistan should leave Afghanistan as an independent and autonomous state and should not interfere in its matters without a formal request from Kabul,” he said.