Khalilzad, PM discuss efforts for peace in Afghanistan.

Byline: Baqir Sajjad Syed

ISLAMABAD -- United States Special Envoy for Afghan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday as efforts for revival of peace negotiations between the US and Taliban gained momentum.

Amb Khalilzad, who is here for the second time in a month, is also expected to meet senior civil and military officials to discuss the latest developments related to the peace talks.

The prime minister told the visiting diplomat that as a sincere facilitator and a friend, Pakistan remained ready to do everything possible in its capacity, as part of a shared responsibility, for early conclusion of the peace deal between the US and Taliban.

He reiterated Pakistan's steadfast and sincere support to the Afghan peace and reconciliation process and underlined the need to overcome the difficulties so that an enduring political solution to the Afghan conflict could be achieved at the earliest.

He stressed that it was important for all sides to take practical steps for reduction of violence in Afghanistan. He further underscored that it was equally important to guard against the negative narratives and efforts by any quarter to undermine the progress made so far through painstaking efforts.

'Achieving sustainable peace and security and ensuring long-term development, progress and prosperity in Afghanistan and the region is in Pakistan's best national interest,' the PM told Amb Khalilzad.

During his last trip at the start of the month, Amb Khalilzad had held secret talks with a delegation from Taliban's Qatar-based political office on the resumption of their negotiations that...