Trump, in his recently unveiled Afghan strategy, authorized deployment of several thousand U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is also relying on its military might, like its predecessor did, to pressure the Taliban to come to the negotiating table, despite knowing the policy has not worked during the past 16 years. Other stakeholders, said Ghafoor, also need to adopt a “methodology” which encourages progress for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Pakistan denies allegations of havens on its soil, saying its security forces have cleared the country of militants. “We have done our part and shall continue to contribute toward enduring peace and stability in the region, keeping Pakistan’s interest supreme,” said the army spokesman. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson listens as Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi (not pictured) speaks during their meeting at the Prime Minister's residence, Oct. Pakistan re-emphasized that it supports an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and believes “reconciliation” is the way forward to end the war.įILE - U.S. The army chief reiterated that “cooperation will take us forward confrontation or coercion will not,” Ghafoor said. will get it done in a different way,' he said.Īrmy spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor, while speaking to VOA Monday, described Bajwa’s discussions with Tillerson as 'candid, frank and without mincing words.'

“If Pakistan fails to act against terrorists, the U.S. Tillerson also called for Pakistan to take action against terrorists on its soil. The discussions focused on regional counterterrorism efforts and promoting peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.ĭuring his four-hour stay in Pakistan, Tillerson also went into a “one-on-one” meeting with General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the chief of the military institution accused of covertly maintaining ties and sheltering Taliban leaders. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson when he undertook his inaugural visit to Islamabad last Tuesday for detailed talks, led by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, with civilian and military leaders, say Pakistani officials. Pakistan has cautioned the United States that 'cooperation,' not 'coercion,' is the way forward for the two countries to find a politically negotiated end to an increasingly deadly war in Afghanistan.

Taliban mocks america