US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad meets FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi

US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad met Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday at the Foreign Office.

During their meeting, Khalilzad thanked the FM for facilitating the direct talks between the United States and the Taliban. The US envoy briefed the foreign minister of his recent engagements in the region for Afghan peace and reconciliation process.

Qureshi assured Khalilzad of Pakistan's support for the Afghan peace process. The foreign minister asserted that peace in Afghanistan is their common responsibility.

The US envoy arrived on Thursday in Pakistan and held talks with with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua. The two discussed developments in the Afghan reconciliation process. The FO spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said, "Foreign Secretary reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to facilitate Afghan reconciliation process to realise the shared goal of peace and stability in the region. It was noted that taking the Afghan peace process forward remained a shared responsibility.”

Khalilzad also traveled to Afghanistan, China and India as part of the four-nation trip which will end on January 21. The US state Department issued a press release which reads that this trip by the US envoy is to ‘facilitate an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan.

The press release further stated, “The United States supports the desire of the Afghan people and the international community for a political settlement that ends the 40-year conflict and ensures Afghanistan never again serves as a platform for international terrorism.”