After a year of censure and suspension of aid to Pakistan, President Donald Trump has sought the longstanding ally’s support to push Taliban into Afghan peace negotiations.
On Tuesday Pakistani officials confirmed that the U.S. President has addressed a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan, seeking the country’s help toward making the Taliban join peace talks with the U.S.-backed government in Kabul.
The Foreign Ministry welcomed Washington’s position on bringing a peaceful end to the 17-year-old war, the longest American military engagement.
According to Pakistan’s Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, the U.S. president told Khan that relations with Pakistan were “very important” for the resolution of the Afghan conflict, especially in pushing the Taliban insurgents to the negotiating table.
On Tuesday Trump’ special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, will arrive in Pakistan for talks on Afghan reconciliation.
The U.S.-Pakistan relations has been rocked by a series of issues including President Trump’s public denunciation of the key South Asian country on allegations that it allows the Afghan Taliban including the Haqqanis to hide on its territory as well as international and Afghan failures to fix problems in conflict-hit country.
Only last week, Trump and Khan exchanged tweets reiterating their grievances with the U.S. president going against previous American assessments and holding Pakistan responsible for the slain al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden’s being able to hide in plain sight.
In reaction, Khan recounted Islamabad’s critical anti-terror role and the sacrifices the country has made since joining the U.S.-led war on terror.
But the letter that Trump sent to Khan on Monday has been described as courting a diplomatic tone.
“Since Pakistan has always advocated a political settlement to end war in Afghanistan, the U.S. decision is welcomed,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said.
“Pakistan reiterates its commitment to play a facilitation role in good faith. Peace and stability in Afghanistan remains a shared responsibility.”
The statement said Trump “has also acknowledged that the war had cost both USA and Pakistan. He has emphasized that Pakistan and USA should explore opportunities to work together and renew partnership.”
