ISLAMABAD – *The US Department of State’s Senior Bureau Official for theBureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Ambassador Alice Wells saidduring her visit to Pakistan this week that Pakistan could play ameaningful role in helping the United States achieve peace in Afghanistan. *
While in Islamabad, Wells met with Pakistan’s Minister of Interior AhsanIqbal; Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic AffairsMiftah Ismail; Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua; National Security AdvisorNasser Janjua; and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Country RepresentativeRuven Menikdiwela.
Wells also met with Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa.
According to a statement issued by the US embassy in Islamabad, Wells metwith officials and discussed the US’s South Asia strategy and Pakistan’sstated commitment to eliminate all terrorist groups present within itsborders.
She also discussed the US’s “shared interest in building economic andcommercial ties that benefit both nations,” the statement read.
On the recent Tashkent conference on Afghanistan, “Wells noted the growinginternational consensus on the way forward to achieving peace inAfghanistan and the meaningful role that Pakistan, partnering with theUnited States, could play in achieving a peaceful resolution inAfghanistan.”
Pakistan’s chief of army staff told Wells Pakistan expects regional playersto play an equally positive role.
Wells called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday, inwhich General Bajwa reiterated Pakistan’s commitment for peace andstability in the region particularly in Afghanistan through a nationalapproach.
“Pakistan also expects other players in the region to play an equallypositive part,” the army chief was quoted as saying by ISPR.