US dictate Pakistan to change policy for improved relations

The US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad has held meetings with Pakistani officials after hurling warning from Kabul yesterday to Pakistan to change its policy towards Afghanistan; otherwise, Islamabad and Washington’s ties would not improve.

Khalilzad made that warning in video conference talking to a number of youths from Bamiyan, Jawzjan and Parwan provinces and Afghan media reported so.
“We support this and are seeking that an agreement should be reached between Afghanistan and Pakistan that can result in peace and (can stop) the interferences Pakistan has made in Afghanistan and I have been a witness of their (Pakistanis’) negative activities,” Khalilzad alleged. “Since I have taken on the role, I have encouraged them to play a more positive role, because if they want to improve their ties with the US, their policy toward Afghanistan must change, otherwise, the US and Pakistan relations will not improve,” Khalilzad said.
The US diplomat Khalilzad arrived in Islamabad today after wrapping up a five-day trip to Afghanistan and held meetings in the capital with the foreign secretary and the foreign minister. During his meeting with Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the US envoy shared updates on his meetings in Afghanistan and the dynamics of the intra-Afghan dialogue, the FO Pakistan statement said.
Foreign Minister Qureshi, while appreciating Khalilzad’s efforts, stated that intra-Afghan dialogue is a vital component of the reconciliation process. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the peace process, the press release added.
Earlier today, Khalilzad, along with an inter-agency delegation, held delegation-level talks with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua. Janjua was assisted by senior officials from the Foreign Affairs and Defence ministries. During the talks, important affairs, including progress made in the Afghan reconciliation process, were discussed.
The foreign secretary also briefed Khalilzad on a telephone conversation between Qureshi and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Both sides agreed to remain engaged to pursue the reconciliation process, the FO stated.