US seeks Pakistan’s help in ending Afghanistan conflict

In an unusual turn of events, the US has not pushed Pakistan to “do more” for peace in Afghanistan. Instead, on Thursday, it sought the support of Islamabad for bringing the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table in the hope of achieving a political settlement to the yearslong conflict.

“All countries in the region will benefit from peace in Afghanistan,” the US Embassy said on Thursday, quoting Special Envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad. It added that Khalilzad had reiterated the sentiment during his visit to Islamabad this week.

The envoy, along with his delegation, held meetings with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua to discuss the Afghan peace strategy.

“In his meetings, Ambassador Khalilzad stressed the United States' commitment to facilitating a political settlement between the Afghan government and the Taliban,” the US Embassy in Islamabad said in a statement.

The US hopes a political settlement in the war-ravaged country will ensure that “Afghanistan never again serves as a platform for international terrorism and ends the 40-year-long war in the country.”

Khalilzad's visit came a day after US President Donald Trump wrote a letter to Khan seeking Islamabad's “assistance and facilitation in achieving a negotiated settlement of the Afghan war.”

Khan on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to continuing its positive role in seeking a political settlement in Afghanistan that will bring peace and stability in the region. “We have been saying for the last 15 years that there is a political solution to the Afghan conflict, not the military… and a delegation led by Zalmay Khalilzad has accepted it,” the premier said while addressing a federal Cabinet meeting.

“Pakistan is playing its role for peace in Afghanistan,” Khan added.

Earlier, while addressing a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr. Mohammad Faisal said that Pakistan was ready to extend its unconditional support to the US' bid for peace in Afghanistan.

“All stakeholders agree on the resolution of the Afghan conflict through negotiations,” he said, adding that a “peaceful solution to the conflict was discussed in detail with the US delegation led by Khalilzad.”