Pakistan taking important steps for supporting regional stability, fighting terrorism: Olson

WASHINGTON: US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard G. Olson praised Pakistan for taking important steps to support regional stability and has said that the country’s counterterrorism cooperation with the United States on al-Qaeda has been critical in decimating the terrorist groups.

Speaking before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, Olson said that from a low point in 2011 the two countries have worked hard to build a more stable and forthright relationship that increasingly focused on shared strategic goals shaped through the US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue.

Praising Pakistan for supporting regional stability, the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan said that last July Pakistan facilitated a direct meeting between the Afghan government and the Taliban officials in Murree, a milestone in our ongoing efforts to pursue a political settlement in Afghanistan.

Pakistan hosted the regional Heart of Asia conference last week which was attended by Afghan President Ghani which yielded productive discussions on regional cooperation to advance the peace process and Afghanistan’s long term stability, he added.

Olson said that on the margins of the conference, Pakistani, Afghan, Chinese and US leaders affirmed their commitment to resuming direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

“We believe Pakistan will be the key to facilitating a peace process with the Taliban, and we hope Pakistan will follow through on its stated commitment to Afghan-owned, Afghan-led reconciliation,” he added.

He said a second round of Pakistan-facilitated talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government could help build a momentum for a nascent peace process.

“We expect the next Strategic Dialogue Ministerial to be scheduled in the early part of next year which will allow us to continue frank and open conversations on all of these issues,” the special representative said.

On bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States, Olson said that despite many challenges Pakistan will continue to be an important partner for the United States for the foreseeable future, particularly in the light of enduring US presence in Afghanistan.

The special representative said that it was important not to overlook the significant progress made in the last few years.

He said that since taking over in 2013, the present government in the last two years has made progress across economic and security factors.He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his administration have restored macro-economic stability to Pakistan and improved economic growth.