US hails Imran's peace overture to neighbours

WASHINGTON: A senior official of the United States government has hailed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s statement on the importance of peace on both sides of Pakistan’s borders.

Addressing a press conference, United States Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells emphasised that Pakistan has a critical role to play in the long-term stability of Afghanistan.

“We encourage Pakistan to take stronger steps to ensure that the Taliban comes to the negotiating table. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan embarked an effort to improve their ties for negotiating a solidarity document which we strongly support,” she said.

“We look forward to working with the new government. We welcome Imran Khan’s words when he discussed the importance of having peace on both sides of the borders.”

The US diplomat underlined that while Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is putting forward a peace proposal in the interests of the Afghan people, it is the perfect time for all parties to come to the negotiating table.

Wells is expected to accompany US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo when he visits Islamabad in the first week of September for talks with the new Pakistani leadership. He is also likely to visit New Delhi and Kabul.

Wells said that America’s South Asia strategy was “obviously pointed to the role India can and should play” in supporting the stabilisation of Afghanistan.

“We want to see Afghanistan stitched back into the region,” said the US diplomat while clarifying that this integration does not have to come at the expense of any other country in the region.

Wells further said that the US had conducted $1.4 trillion in two-way trade with the countries in the Indo-Pacific region. “More than $100 million of funding will go to South Asia, which includes $39 million for Bangladesh, $14 million for Sri Lanka and $17 million for Nepal.