Pakistan will Have Bold Role in Afghan Peace Process
In a meeting between US Defence Secretary James Mattis and the Pakistani ambassador Ali Jahangir Siddiqui, Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to playing a part in the Afghan peace process.
In a meeting between US Defence Secretary James Mattis and the Pakistani ambassador Ali Jahangir Siddiqui, Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to playing a part in the Afghan peace process.
The US defence Ministry released images of the Pakistani ambassador Ali Jahangir Siddiqui in America meeting with US defence secretary James Mattis, citing both sides discussed bilateral relations.
But the Pakistani DWN newspaper reported that in the meeting with the US defence chief at the Pentagon on Monday, Ambassador Siddiqui briefed Mr Mattis on Pakistan’s efforts to enhance its cooperation with Afghanistan.
“We agreed on the need to work together for peace and stability in Afghanistan,” Ambassador Siddiqui told Dawn after the meeting. “I reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to play its part in this peace and reconciliation process.”
Mr Siddiqui, who earlier served as a special assistant on economic and business affairs to former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, was named ambassador in March this year. He presented his credentials to US President Donald Trump in June.
Last week, the future Pakistani Prime Minister Imran khan said in his speech to the Pakistani people that the stability of Afghanistan and Pakistan is highly linked, and pledged to work with the United States to stabilize Afghanistan.
The Mattis-Siddiqui meeting also comes amidst renewed US efforts to jump-start peace talks with Afghan Taliban. Last week, a senior US envoy, Alice Wells, met Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar, and urged them to hold direct talks with the government in Kabul.
