The United States of America wants to see a prosperous Pakistan that contributes positively towards regional stability and security said US State Department Spokesperson Robert Palladino during a press briefing in Washington
ISLAMABAD (Pakistan Point News / NNI - 27th March, 2019) The United States of America wants to see a prosperous Pakistan that contributes positively towards regional stability and security said US State Department Spokesperson Robert Palladino during a press briefing in Washington.Responding to a question about Pakistan's role with regard to the peace process in Afghanistan, Palladino said that the Afghan peace process is grateful for Pakistan's role.
"Pakistan could play an important role in bringing about a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan and that's something that we're thankful for," he said.While answering a question on the recent remarks by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo regarding Pakistan's nuclear programme, Palladino said, "Nuclear proliferation is one of the very first national security concerns articulated in our National Security Strategy. It's at the very top of the list".
He went on to say that Secretary Pompeo's position on the issue is that the issue was so huge that the US has to stay engaged with it all the time. "So, that absolutely remains something that this administration thinks about often, because the level of the impact, of what could happen is simply so great. So that remains at the very top of our national security considerations."He remarked that "As far as Pakistan itself, the secretary [Pompeo] has also emphasized the need to deliver outcomes and to build confidence and trust between our two nations, and we do want to see a prosperous Pakistan that contributes positively towards regional stability and security".
The latest briefing in recognition of Pakistan's efforts came as US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad heads back to the region for a new round of talks.Khalilzad will visit Afghanistan, Pakistan and several other countries during the trip that commenced on March 25 and is scheduled to run through April 10.The State Department did not confirm whether he would hold fresh talks with the Taliban but said he would stop in Qatar, the usual location for negotiations with the militants.
On Tuesday, Afghanistan recalled its ambassador to Pakistan over Prime Minister Imran Khan suggestion that Kabul should set up an interim government.Afghanistan summoned Pakistan's deputy ambassador to discuss the "irresponsible" remarks by Prime Minister Khan, said Afghan foreign affairs ministry spokesman Sibghatullah Ahmadi in a series of tweets on Tuesday. Later, a statement issued by the Afghan embassy confirmed the development. NNI
