ISLAMABAD – The United States yesterday creditedPakistan for imminent peace deal between the US and the Afghan Taliban asForeign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi met his American counterpart MikePompeo in Washington.
An official statement released here by the foreign ministry said Pompeoappreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace in Afghanistan.
The meeting came a day after FM Qureshi announced that the Afghan Talibanwere willing to shun violence. “This is a step toward peace agreement inAfghanistan,” he added – indicating a major diplomatic victory for Pakistan.
Recently, the US and Taliban officials had announced a resumption ofofficial negotiations for the first time since President Donald Trumpabruptly halted talks three months ago to end the 18-year war. Lastmonth, Pakistan and the US had shown satisfaction with the recent talksbetween the US and the Afghan Taliban in Doha, Qatar.
Prior to meeting with Pompeo, Foreign Minister Qureshi urged the US for a“responsible” withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and not to repeat the‘mistake’ of 1980s’ pull out by the then Union of Soviet SocialistRepublics.
“Pakistan is asking (Washington) for a responsible withdrawal unlike 80swhich created a vacuum for the destructive forces to take over,” he said inan interview with Fox News.
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He mentioned that Pakistan facilitated a dialogue with Taliban on therequest of President Trump “in a hope for peace and stability”.
He expressed the hope of an agreement between the US and the AfghanTaliban. “The Taliban are today talking to US and there is a possibility ofan agreement,” he said, adding the announcement by Taliban of a ceasefireof 7-10 days was a positive step.
The FM said that Pakistan will continue its efforts for political solutionto lingering Afghan conflict. He underlined the need of strengtheningbilateral trade and investment to materialize joint vision of PrimeMinister Imran Khan and US President Donald Trump.
