Talks held with US officials on Afghanistan
Foreign Secretary Janjua, US State Department official Wells discuss bilateral ties
Pakistan and the United States discussed ways of working together to achieve the common objectives of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region in a meeting of senior officials held in Islamabad yesterday.
Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and Acting US State Department South and Central Asia Assistant Secretary Alice Wells discussed bilateral ties as well as matters related to regional peace and stability at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.
This is Wells second visit to Islamabad this year aimed at improving the Pakistan-US cooperation to strengthen bilateral relations and promote peace and security in the region.
Regional issues
During the meeting, the two sides deliberated on regional issues particularly Afghanistan and agreed the momentum of the peace initiative offered by Afghan President Ashraf Gani and followed up in Tashkent needs to be carried forward. “Both sides also reiterated their firm commitments to act against all groups that target Pakistan and Afghanistan”, according to the statement issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mechanism for return of refugees and monitoring of Pakistan-Afghanistan border were also discussed.
Pakistan had earlier announced that process of deporting undocumented Afghan refugees will start from the first week of April.
Janjua also informed the visiting delegation of the continued ceasefire violations by India that undermined stability of the region. Pakistan Army has recorded at least 948 ceasefire violations in the first three months of this year.
“Pakistan’s position that a comprehensive dialogue was the only way forward for civilised nations to resolve outstanding issues was reiterated during the meeting,” the statement said.
Observing that the US and Pakistan had a long track record of cooperation, Wells underscored the importance of working together to achieve the common objectives of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region. The two sides agreed to continue bilateral engagements at all levels.
Wells who arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday also held meetings met with US embassy staff and several senior Pakistani government officials, international organisation leaders, and members of the private sector.