US special envoy discusses Afghan peace with Pakistan Army chief

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad discussed the ongoing peace process in the war-torn country with Pakistan's Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa here on Wednesday, a military spokesperson said.

The development came two days after Pakistan arranged crucial peace talks between the US and the Afghan Taliban in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) -- in the latest push to end the 17-year-long conflict in Afghanistan. Representatives from Pakistan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia also attended the talks.

According to a statement by the Pakistani Army's media wing, the US envoy appreciated Islamabad's role in the Afghan peace process and discussed matters related to regional stability in the meeting at the general headquarters in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

It said that General Bajwa reiterated that "peace in Afghanistan is important for Pakistan" and assured that continuous efforts will be made "for bringing peace and stability in the region", Dawn online reported.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump wrote a letter to Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan seeking his assistance in the Afghan peace process.

The US leader had also reportedly sought Islamabad's help in bringing the Taliban leadership to the negotiating table.

Trump's letter was followed by a visit from Khalilzad to Islamabad seeking a peaceful resolution of the Afghan conflict. - IANS