Pakistan assures steadfast support for negotiated settlement of Afghan issue

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Tuesday assured the United States of Pakistan's steadfast support for a negotiated settlement of the Afghan issue.

He was talking to US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad who called on him,  Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said in a tweet on social media.

Khalilzad reiterated President Trump's desire to seek cooperation of Pakistan for peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Dr Faisal further tweeted that during his visit to Islamabad, the US special representative also held a meeting with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and discussed issues pertaining to peace and political settlement in Afghanistan.

Officials from both sides were also present during the meeting.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump, in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Imran Khan, had emphasized upon exploring opportunities by the two countries to work together and renew their partnership and sought Pakistan’s support and facilitation for the negotiated settlement of the Afghan issue.

According to a press release of the Foreign Office Monday, Trump in his letter said his most important regional priority was achieving a negotiated settlement of the Afghan war and acknowledged that the war had cost both the US and Pakistan.

Pakistan reiterating its commitment to play a facilitation role in good faith, underlined that peace and stability in Afghanistan remained a shared responsibility.