Gen Bajwa assures US of Pakistan’s commitment to Afghan peace

–COAS says Pakistan also expects other regional players to play equally positive part

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday told US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells that Pakistan remains committed to peace and stability in the region, particularly in Afghanistan, through a national approach.

“Pakistan also expects other players in the region to play an equally positive part,” the army chief stated.

According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, Gen Bajwa and Wells discussed regional security and matters of mutual interest at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

Ambassador Wells assured the army chief that the US is committed to peace and supports all efforts towards that end.

Both agreed that bilateral convergences should be leveraged to gain positive momentum rather than remaining hostage to perceptions, ISPR added regarding the meeting.

Wells arrived in Pakistan on an official visit on March 28. She has held meetings with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and National Security Adviser Lt Gen (R) Nasser Khan Janjua.

Earlier on March 1, in an interview with an American broadcast organisation, Wells had said that the US wanted to become a partner of Pakistan against terrorist organisations.

Wells said that the US focuses on maintaining trade and communication relations with the countries of the region and considers Pakistan an important country for peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The US diplomat went on to say that the purpose of Washington’s South Asian strategy was to work closely with Islamabad, adding that the US was also keen to pursue peace talks with the Afghan Taliban.