Afghan peace process: Khalilzad, Miller meet COAS Bajwa

• The dignitaries discussed the ongoing efforts for a sustainable peace in Afghanistan and renewed their commitment to act to advance a political settlement to the conflict.
• On April 12, Taliban released 20 prisoners of the Afghan government who were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Kandahar.

(Karachi) U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad and Resolute Support Mission Commander General Austin Scott Miller met Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the dignitaries discussed the ongoing efforts for a sustainable peace in Afghanistan and renewed their commitment to act to advance a political settlement to the conflict.

Earlier, the United States welcomed the latest development in the Afghan peace process, following the Taliban and the Afghan government released some of the prisoners held in each other's captivity.

Zalmay Khalilzad, welcomed the development, describing it as an important step in the peace process.“Welcome the release of prisoners by both the Afghan government and the Taliban. The release of prisoners is an important step in the peace process and the reduction of violence," Khalilzad tweeted.

He emphasised that both sides should accelerate efforts to meet targets specified in the US-Taliban agreement as soon as possible.

“The potential for COVID-19 outbreaks in prisons poses a real threat and all the more reason to move urgently," he added.

On April 12, Taliban released 20 prisoners of the Afghan government who were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Kandahar. The Afghan government has so far released more than 300 Taliban prisoners.

As per the US-Taliban peace deal signed on February 29, 2020, the Afghan government would release 5,000 Taliban prisoners, while the armed group would free 1,000 Afghan prisoners of the Kabul administration prior to the start of intra-Afghan negotiations.