The US and the Afghan Taliban were close to striking a deal last month but President Donald Trump pulled out of the peace process, citing insurgent group’s continued attacks against the American forces. An official handout released by the PM Office said Imran while welcoming Ambassador Khalilzad, reiterated Pakistan’s “steadfast and sincere support to the Afghan peace and reconciliation process launched since last year”. Achieving sustainable peace and security and ensuring long-term development, progress and prosperity in Afghanistan and the region was in Pakistan’s best national interest, the prime minister said. Khalilzad’s latest trip to the region that also took him to Kabul and Moscow raised hopes for the resumption of Afghan peace talks. The Afghan government was skeptical about the success of talks between the US and the Taliban without participation of other Afghan groups.

Source: The Express Tribune October 28, 2019 15:08 UTC