US seeks Pakistan’s help for intra-Afghan dialogue

Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation ZalmayKhalilzad has sought Pakistan’s support for reducing violence in Afghanistanand accelerate the intra-Afghan dialogue, the US Embassy here said on Saturday.

Khalilzad discussed the Afghanistan peace process withPakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday.

   

During the discussion, he also asked for help to secure therelease of American navy veteran-turned contractor Mark Frerichs, who wentmissing in Afghanistan.

The embassy said Khalilzad discussed the ongoing efforts bythe US to advance the Afghan peace process.

He “sought Pakistan’s support in pressing for areduction in violence, the immediate start of intra-Afghan negotiations, andassistance in helping obtain the freedom of American Mark Frerichs”, itsaid.

The embassy noted that Pakistan’s military leadersreaffirmed their support for the US efforts.

Earlier, the Pakistan Army in a statement on Friday saidduring the meeting between Khalilzad and General Bajwa, issues of mutualinterest and overall regional security situation, including Afghan reconciliationprocess, were discussed.

Khalilzad appreciated Pakistan’s continuous efforts forpeace and stability in the region, according to the Army statement.

The US and Taliban representatives signed a historic peacedeal on February 29 in Doha and since then efforts were being made to start theintra-Afghan dialogue.

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