US welcomes Pakistan cooperation in peace talks with Taliban

US welcomes Pakistan cooperation in peace talks with Taliban

WASHINGTON,  DEC 17 - The United States has welcomed Pakistan’s cooperation to promote peace talks between Afghan government and the Taliban, a media report said on Monday.

The US acknowledgement came after Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier announced that Pakistan had arranged a round of talks between the US and Taliban officials. The PM however did not say anything about the venue.

A spokesperson of the US embassy has said that US special representative Zalmay Khalilzad had met all the sides of Afghan problem and will hold further meetings.

“The United States welcomes any actions by the Pakistan to promote greater cooperation, including fostering dialogue between the Taliban, the Afghan government, and other Afghans,” a spokesperson in Kabul told the VOA.

The US radio’s Dari service reported yesterday that Khalilzad is likely to meet Taliban officials in Islamabad on Monday.

The earlier talks over the Afghanistan peace were held in Doha, Qatar, where Taliban have a representative office.

Mr. Zalmay Khalilzad, had met, and would continue to meet, all parties, including the Taliban, to get support for a negotiated settlement to the Afghanistan conflict, the spokesperson further said.

According to the US radio report two weeks ago Khalilzad had asked Pakistani authorities to extend help in facilitating the Afghan peace process.

It is pertinent to mention here, earlier this month US President Donald Trump wrote to Prime Minister Imran Khan, seeking his help to bring the Taliban to the table for talks.

The PM told media in Peshawar on Friday that the US now requesting for help instead of urging Islamabad to do more.

Moreover, the Taliban have in a statement confirming that its representatives are set to meet with an American delegation on Monday.

The talks to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Representatives of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the UAE will also attend the meeting, Taliban statement added.

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