*WASHINGTON: US Central Command chief General Joseph Votel on Friday laudedPakistan’s role for brining peace and stability in South Asia.*
“Lots of positive coming out from the Afghan reconciliation process,”Votel told the House Armed Services Committee.
He said Pakistan’s role for bringing Taliban on the table of talks isappreciable.
Replying to a question about withdrawal of the troops from Afghanistan, theCentcom chief said “We have not been directed to withdraw. There are noorders to withdraw anything.”
The political conditions of where we are in the reconciliation right nowdon’t merit withdrawal,” he said.
Earlier on January 17, a United States (US) delegation headed by itsSpecial Envoy for Afghan Reconciliation Process Zalmay Khalilzad andCommander Resolute Support Mission General Austin Scott Miller, had calledon Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the GeneralHeadquarters in Rawalpindi.
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According to a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations(ISPR) the meeting discussed regional security environment and Afghan peaceand reconciliation process.
The US delegation had appreciated Pakistan’s resolve towards Afghan peaceprocess for bringing peace and stability in the region.
On the occasion, General Qamar Javed Bajwa reiterated that peace inAfghanistan is important for Pakistan and assured continued efforts forenduring peace and stability in the region.
