December 5, 2018.
The US government, on Tuesday, confirmed that US president Trump had written a letter to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran asking for the latter’s assistance in the Afghan peace process. Even though the letter has not been shared with the media, the White House admitted that the US president had requested Pakistan’s full support for the Afghan peace process.
Trump letter to Imran Khan reiterates U.S. view that Afghan Taliban enjoy sanctuary in Pakistan, and says that help with the peace process is key to a continuing U.S.Pakistan partnership, according to the White House https://t.co/XhMBDBVNUo
— Saeed Shah (@SaeedShah) December 4, 2018
In the letter, President Trump said that both the US and Pakistan had suffered in the Afghan war, and therefore both the countries should explore new opportunities to renew their partnership. The letter also requested cooperation for Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and his trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Trump’s letter highlights an inconvenient truth for those that favor a harder line on #Pakistan: The USG, despite tough talk and threats, still seeks cooperation with Islamabad, and especially as it intensifies efforts to launch a Taliban peace process. https://t.co/8n8woAxn0w
— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) December 3, 2018
The spokesperson further said that the letter recognised that “Pakistan had the ability to deny the Taliban sanctuary on its territory,” adding that “Pakistan’s assistance with the Afghan peace process was fundamental to building an enduring US-Pakistan partnership.”
Good news: President Trump has reached out to Imran Khan seeking cooperation in bringing Taliban to negotiation table. Good for US-PAK relationship and for negotiations in AFG. pic.twitter.com/dqj9jj0WYT
— Martin Kobler (@KoblerinPAK) December 4, 2018
It was revealed by PM Imran Khan, during his media talk, on Monday that he had received a letter from the US president Donald Trump in which the US government had asked Pakistan to play its role in the Afghan peace process. The current round of Afghan peace process is aimed at ending the 17-year long conflict in Afghanistan since the US invasion in 2001. “We will try to make the Afghan Taliban engage in dialogue with the US,” PM said while discussing Trump’s letter.
It was a pleasure meeting Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad third time since his appointment. Pakistan will continue to cooperate with sincerity for political settlement in Afghanistan. Long lasting Peace in Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s best interest. pic.twitter.com/eSXzd87V5i
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) December 4, 2018
In a recent development, Zalmay Khalilzad also arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday to hold one on one talks with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Khalilzad, during his meeting with Qureshi, further reiterated the US desire to end the Afghan conflict and asked for Pakistan’s cooperation during the process. Khalilzad further requested Pakistan’s cooperation towards long term stability and peace in Afghanistan. In his response to the US request, FM Qureshi tweeted; “Pakistan will continue to cooperate with sincerity for political settlement in Afghanistan. Long-lasting peace in Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s best interest”.
Source: CRSS Blog.
