Gen Bajwa, Khalilzad discuss Afghan peace process

RAWALPINDI: US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters on Friday to discuss the Afghan peace process.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed matters of mutual interests, including overall regional security situation and ongoing Afghanistan reconciliation process, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release said.

The US envoy thanked Pakistan for facilitating the process towards the mutual objective of peace in the region.A couple of weeks ago, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had said in a video message: “The Taliban have expressed their willingness to the demand of reduction in violence. In my opinion, this is a step towards a peace agreement.”

The US has been trying to negotiate a peace deal with the Taliban which culminates in a smooth transfer of power and allows American troops to leave the country.