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After years of acrimonious gambling, Pakistani and US military forces appear to be re-engaged in tactical counterterrorism cooperation to promote a negotiated settlement of the war in Afghanistan
. recognized the positive trend in mutual relations, with both parties stressing the need to pursue commitments.
"Pakistan is hoping for peace in Afghanistan, Pakistan has done its part in this regard with other stakeholders," said army spokesman General Asif Ghafoor on Friday.
Ghafoor responded to comments from a top American general Thursday that Pakistan's cooperation "remains the key to achieving the overall goal of a lasting political settlement in Afghanistan."
The spokesman of the Pakistani army made a new statement. "Military-military engagement will likely produce more positive results within the overall framework of stakeholders."
Speaking in Washington the day before, General Joseph Votel, commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) , told reporters in Washington: has maintained a "very strong relationship" with Pakistani military leader, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, pointing out that other US officials have also communicated with their counterparts in Islamabad and "he is important to speak "
US President Donald Trump, as part of his new strategy for South Asia announced last August, suspended his military assistance to Pakistan until he took decisive action against terrorists involved in attacks in the country. Afghanistan and other regional countries. This movement stretched mutual ties and interrupted diplomatic contacts until a few weeks ago, when Washington reestablished high-level contacts with Islamabad.
The "refuges" of the Taliban
United States. and Afghan officials have long alleged that Taliban and Haqqani leaders are leading the Afghan insurgency against "safe havens" in Pakistan.
Votel again urged Pakistan to continue to press insurgents on its soil by deporting, arresting or forcing them to hold peace talks with the Afghan government.
"And I think these are the key things we asked them to do, and we've seen some of them over the last few months, promising opportunities," said the US commander.
"We have seen Pakistan follow some of the directions we asked for, but we need to look at it in a much more strategic and longer-term way as we go forward," he added.
The Taliban insurgency last month witnessed an unprecedented unilateral ceasefire during the three days of Eid, an initiative widely praised by the international community. US officials at the time hinted that Islamabad may have played a role.
Speaking to Islamabad earlier this month, Afghan Ambassador Omar Zakhilwal publicly acknowledged that Pakistan had played a role in persuading insurgents to declare the ceasefire. Islamabad has agreed to put pressure on the Taliban in exchange for the US killing of Mullah Fazllullah, the leader of the Pakistani Taliban, and dozens of his fighters in drone strikes against their sanctuaries. Afghanistan
Islamabad maintains, however, that it is not solely responsible for the Taliban's help at the negotiating table. Officials say Pakistan's influence with the insurgency group has receded in recent years. But other countries, including Russia and Iran, have growing contacts with the Taliban over growing fears that Afghan insecurity is encouraging Islamic state terrorists to consolidate their bases in Afghanistan ] Improving ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan [19659003Pakistaniauthoritiesprotentafghanistanfugeesinthecountriesofabsorbanceofnaturalsinsurgeryforyearoftheconsiderationofsustainablebenefitsfromthetwocountries
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