Alice Wells hails Imran Khan’s peace statement regarding Afghanistan

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s statement regarding peace on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border was hailed by United States (US) Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells.

She said, “We encourage Pakistan to take stronger steps to ensure that the Taliban comes to the negotiating table rather than enjoying safe havens in the country.”

“Both Pakistan and Afghanistan embarked an effort to improve their ties for negotiating a solidarity document which we strongly support,” she added.

Wells also said, “We look forward to working with the new government and we are urging them to do more.”

“We welcome Imran Khan’s words when he discussed the importance of having peace on both sides of the border,” she further said.

While commenting on India’s role in Afghanistan, Wells said that India is supporting economic development in the war-torn country up till 2020.

“One of the key new features of strategy tapping is that India is supporting the economic development of Afghanistan up to 2020 and we need to see Afghanistan stitched back into the region,” she explained.

The US principal deputy assistant secretary also said that Washington aimed to ensure that South Asia’s future is free, operates in a rule-based system and is open.

She also said, “More than $100 million of funding will go to South Asia, which includes $39 million for Bangladesh, $14 million for Sri Lanka and $17 million for Nepal.”

“It will focus on maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, peacekeeping capabilities and counter transnational crime, which is the key for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” she also added.

Earlier on August 15, Wells had said that the US is keen to work with Pakistan to achieve stability and peace in South Asia.

Wells was addressing a ceremony regarding Independence Day in Washington where she had also acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices in the ongoing war against terrorism.

Several dignitaries including Pakistan’s ambassador to the US Ali Jahangir Siddiqui were also in attendance.

Earlier on August 14, US Secretary Michael Pompeo had said that the US hopes to further strengthen ties with Pakistan in the coming years and work with the government to advance shared goals of security, stability and prosperity in South Asia, even though Washington has stepped up pressure on Islamabad by cutting down vital military assistance to the country.

Wishing the people on the 72nd Independence Day, Pompeo, in a statement, had said, “For more than seven decades, the relationship between the US and Pakistan has rested on the strong foundation of close ties between our people.”