Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad will visit Pakistan in coming few days to hold talks with Pakistani civil and military leadership on the Afghan reconciliation process. According to the US Department of State, Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Khalilzad will travel to Afghanistan, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Jordan and Qatar from March 25-April 10, as part of the overall effort to facilitate a peace process that brings all Afghan parties together in inclusive intra-Afghan negotiations.
Diplomatic sources said that the top US negotiator is expected to arrive in Pakistan next week to hold talks with the country's authorities and advance the efforts with Taliban also to initiate the dialogue process with Kabul. However, the sources said that Ambassador Zalmay is on the 'shuttle diplomacy' and his dates of the visit to Islamabad may change.
In Kabul, according to the State Department, the special representative will consult with the Afghan government and other Afghans about the status of US talks with the Taliban, encourage efforts to form an inclusive negotiating team, and discuss next steps in intra-Afghan discussions and negotiations.
"The special representative will meet with the allies and partners regarding the status of peace talks and to coordinate sustained commitment by the international community to peace and development in Afghanistan," the State Department added.
Pakistan has been playing the role as facilitator in the US-Taliban talks and the sources said that it is also pushing the Taliban also to start negotiation process with the Afghan government, as the group has been showing reluctance to include the Afghan government in the dialogue process.
"On our part, we are doing our level best what we can do to facilitate the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led reconciliation and peace process. We will continue to support the peace process as we believe that peace in Afghanistan is also in the best interest of Pakistan," said a senior Pakistani diplomat.
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