News Desk |
The United States said that Prime Minister Imran Khan is “incredibly crucial” in helping Washington to sign a peace deal in the war-torn Afghanistan.
While acknowledging the importance of Islamabad in the ongoing Afghan reconciliation process, the US State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said: “Prime Minister Khan is going to be incredibly crucial in helping us with these – with this peace deal and with this peace negotiation that continues”.
During a press briefing, the US state department spokesperson said that “when he [PM Khan] was here in Washington, the President and the Secretary alluded to that as well, how important that relationship will be in helping us pursue peace in Afghanistan.”
The Afghan Taliban had said that they were ready to send their delegation to Pakistan for a meeting with PM Khan if Islamabad decides to extend a formal invitation.
It is relevant to note that PM Khan had earlier said that he had assured US President Donald Trump that Pakistan would do ‘whatever is in its power to facilitate the Afghan peace process’. He had also said that he would meet the Afghan Taliban to convince them for a peace deal.
Washington is looking for a dignified exit after a nearly two-decade-long war in Afghanistan, which has dragged more and more US troops into the conflict.
Question over Human Rights’ Violation Deflected
Meanwhile, the spokesperson deflected a question regarding human rights violations in the occupied valley but showed conceded that there were reports of “detentions and restrictions of residents in Jammu and in Kashmir”.
“There are reports, as you’ve mentioned, of detentions and restrictions of residents in Jammu and in Kashmir. And again, that’s why we continue to monitor this very, very closely,” she said.
Read more: Peaceful Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interest: PM Khan
While referring to Kashmir as an incredibly important issue, she said that US is heavily engaged in South Asia and routinely talks to Pakistan and India on issues facing the region.
Replying to another question regarding India’s unilateral and illegal move in occupied Kashmir, She, said that there has been no change in Washington’s Kashmir policy after Article 370 was revoked in the occupied valley.
Taliban Ready for Talks
Earlier, the Afghan Taliban had said that they were ready to send their delegation to Pakistan for a meeting with PM Khan if Islamabad decides to extend a formal invitation.
Read more: Imran Khan talks strategy: Persuade Taliban for Intra-Afghan dialogue
The statement from the Taliban had come just a day after PM Khan had completed the ‘successful’ visit to US. During his three-day visit, Afghan endgame remained on top of the agenda.