Zalmay Khalizad postpones Pakistan's visit for 'indefinite' period

WASHINGTON: US Special Envoy for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad on Wednesday postponed his scheduled visit to Pakistan for an ‘indefinite” period, ARY News reported.

According to diplomatic sources, Khalilzad was scheduled to visit Pakistan from February 18 to 20, just before a round of talks with the Taliban in Doha on 25th of this month.

The visit has been postponed in wake of the Pulwama attack after the US raised the allegations over Pakistan, sources said and termed it ‘double’ policy of Washington.

President Donald Trump and other US officials have been lauding the Pakistan’s role for peace and stability in Afghanistan and brining the Taliban for the table talks.

It may be recalled that Mr Khalilzad left to visit six countries from February 11 with regard to Afghan peace talks.

In the month of January, the ambassador had said the United States was ready to address “legitimate concerns of all Afghan sides” as it wanted peace in the war-ravaged country.

Khalilzad concluded the confusion on America’s fighting Afghan Taliban and at the same time holding peace talks with them by saying, “I see that many are concerned that the United States is willing to both talk and fight. Let me be clear: the US wants peace.”