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Pakistan, U.S. top commanders support Afghan reconciliation

Xinhua, January 16, 2017 Adjust font size:

Commander U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) General Joseph Votel and Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa pledged on Monday to support "inclusive reconciliation" in Afghanistan through an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led process.

The CENTCOM chief, who arrived in Pakistan for a visit, discussed matters of mutual professional interest with special focus on security situation in Afghanistan, the Pakistani army said in a statement.

"Pakistan supports and looks forward to an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process," General Bajwa told the U.S. commander.

With reference to recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and follow up rhetoric from certain factions implicating Pakistan, he said that blame game is detrimental to enduring peace and stability.

"The army chief highlighted that Pakistan has undertaken operations against terrorists of all hue and colour and there are no safe havens inside Pakistan to be used against Afghanistan," said the statement.

General Bajwa expressed his commitment to work in close coordination with Afghanistan and U.S.-ed Resolute Support Mission (RSM) for improved security environment in Pakistan-Afghan border region.

In this regard, he emphasized requirement of Pakistan-Afghan bilateral border security and intelligence sharing mechanisms, statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations said.

Bajwa also highlighted the importance of Pakistan accords to its relations with the U.S., particularly cooperation in counter-terrorism and regional stability.

General Votel acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Army's successes in fight against terrorism and continued efforts for bringing peace and stability in the region.

He supported the views of the Pakistan Army chief on inclusive reconciliation in Afghanistan through an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led process.

The U.S. general laid a floral wreath at "Yadgar-e- Shuhada" (martyrs monument) to pay homage to martyrs of the anti-terror war. Endit