Pompeo, Qureshi discuss Afghan peace

ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke by telephone this afternoon and exchanged views on the current situation in the region, said the Foreign Office. It said Qureshi urged the US to play its role for resumption of dialogue between Pakistan and India to find solutions to all outstanding disputes.

As Islamabad prepares to receive US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad expected on Thursday, Pakistan and the United States agreed to continue with pursuing the Afghan reconciliation process.

Khalizad is presently in Kabul and has reached out to a cross-section of Afghan politicians and members of the civil society. He will use his visit to Islamabad to take into confidence the Pakistani civil and military leadership about his latest efforts for an Afghan peace deal.

“Qureshi and Pompeo agreed to continue to pursue the Afghan reconciliation process. They discussed Pakistan’s facilitating role and agreed that the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad’s forthcoming visit to Islamabad would provide an opportunity to further build on the gains made so far”, added the Foreign Office.