*WASHINGTON: US Central Command chief General Joseph Votel on Friday lauded Pakistan’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 is appreciable.
Replying to a question about withdrawal of the troops from Afghanistan, the Centcom chief said “We have not been directed to withdraw. There are no orders to withdraw anything.”
The political conditions of where we are in the reconciliation right now don’t merit withdrawal,” he said.
Earlier on January 17, a United States (US) delegation headed by its Special Envoy for Afghan Reconciliation Process Zalmay Khalilzad and Commander Resolute Support Mission General Austin Scott Miller, had called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
According to a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) the meeting discussed regional security environment and Afghan peace and reconciliation process.
The US delegation had appreciated Pakistan’s resolve towards Afghan peace process for bringing peace and stability in the region.
On the occasion, General Qamar Javed Bajwa reiterated that peace in Afghanistan is important for Pakistan and assured continued efforts for enduring peace and stability in the region.