Pakistan and the United States have a history of close cooperative relations. This cooperative relationship has served the interests of both the countries. We have convergence of views and interests on a number of key issues including the ongoing Afghan Peace Process. We both believe that there’s no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and we both want to see peace in Afghanistan. Both Pakistan and the United States support an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan through a process that is owned and led by Afghan themselves. Pakistan played a key role in facilitating the US-Taliban agreement for Peace in Afghanistan in February last year. We consider the United States a friend and want broad-based relations to achieve our shared objective of peace and prosperity in the region and beyond. We have repeatedly stated that neither should Pakistan be looked at through the prism of another country, nor should our relations be viewed narrowly. We want to build long term, broad-based, comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnerships rather than having transactional relations. Pakistan will take all such decisions and pursue policies that are in our national interest and contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and beyond. Response to media query on the Extended Troika meeting A meeting of the Extended Troika including Special Envoys of Pakistan, US, China and Russia was held in Doha yesterday (11 August). The members of the Extended Troika discussed the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and explored ways of expediting the intra-Afghan peace talks for achieving an inclusive political settlement and bringing an end to the four decades long conflict in Afghanistan. Delegations of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan led by Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and Taliban led by Mullah Bradar also had interaction with the Extended Troika. The Extended Troika countries broadly conveyed following messages to the Afghan sides: • There was a need for urgent measures to reduce violence leading to a ceasefire. • There was no military solution to the Afghan conflict. • The Afghan sides should put forward their peace plans on priority basis so that progress is made towards a political roadmap. • There is a need for all sides to respect human rights and not indulge in human rights violations. Pakistan attaches importance to the role of Extended Troika for bringing lasting peace and stability to Afghanistan. Pakistan will continue to engage in this platform to undertake collective efforts to expedite the peace process.
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