ISLAMABAD: United States Special Representative for Afghanistan reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has extended his stay in Pakistan.
According to diplomatic sources, the US envoy was scheduled to travel back, however, he has extended his stay in Islamabad and the date for his return has not been finalised.
The stay has been extended to holding the next round of talks between the US and Afghan Taliban, sources added.
The decision to hold the next round of talks between the US and Afghan Taliban in Islamabad was taken on Friday during a meeting between the US envoy and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Khalilzad, who arrived in Pakistan on January 17 as part of his four-nation tour. The US Special Representative said that the US leadership appraised Pakistan’s role for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. The US envoy also met with Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Khalilzad, who is currently on his fifth visit to the country since assuming the post, thanked the foreign minister for Pakistan’s continued efforts for arranging talks between the US and the Taliban. He said that the US leadership values Pakistan’s endeavours for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. A US delegation comprising the representatives of American State Department and Defence and National Security Council also attended the meeting.
