'Pak can play key role in ensuring peace, security in Afghanistan'

The US Department of State's Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Ambassador Alice Wells, who recently visited Pakistan, said Islamabad could play an important role in achieving a peaceful resolution and ensuring security in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Wells was on a week-long visit to Pakistan. She visited Islamabad and Karachi from March 28 to April 3 and held talks with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and National Security Advisor (NSA) Nasser Khan Janjua among other officials, Geo News reported.

According to a statement by the US embassy in Islamabad, it read, "During her visit, Ambassador Wells discussed the South Asia strategy and Pakistan's stated commitment to eliminate all terrorist groups present within its borders, as well as our shared interest in building economic and commercial ties that benefit both nations. In the aftermath of the Tashkent conference on Afghanistan, Ambassador Wells noted the growing international consensus on the way forward to achieving peace in Afghanistan and the meaningful role that Pakistan, partnering with the United States, could play in achieving a peaceful resolution in Afghanistan."

Representatives from over 20 countries and international organisations took part in the Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan in Uzbekistan last week, to discuss an international consensus of ending the decades-long conflict in the war-torn country.

During her meeting with Bajwa, the latter underlined that Pakistan was committed to achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan through a national approach.

Wells initially served as a political officer at the US embassy in Islamabad.

The American diplomat also visited the country in January, accompanied by senior officials from the US National Security Council and US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale. She stressed on how critical was Pakistan to the success of her country's strategy of Afghanistan's peace plan.