Afghanistan Times
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AT Monitoring Desk-KABUL: Taking note over disregard of Pakistani officials to pressurize militants enjoying safe havens on their soil, the Trump Administration has once again stressed the need for Pakistan to heap up pressure on insurgents.
A senior State Department official said in an interview on Tuesday the US had recently held productive negotiations with Pakistani leaders on the situation in Afghanistan.
“What’s important to note is that we’ve had some very fruitful conversations with the government of Pakistan about events inside of Afghanistan,” the under secretary of state for political affairs said.
Speaking to the VOA, Thomas Shannon said: “It’s my hope that we’re going to be able to build on those in a way that helps this broader reconciliation process.”
Reminded of Central Asian countries’ call for the US to pressurize Pakistan, Shannon said: “I understand, but we’re not the only big partner. China is a very important partner and especially for Pakistan.”
Shannon added Pakistan also needed to understand the concerns of Central Asian countries about remnants of militancy on its soil. “This is really something that the Pakistanis have to understand…
“But it will be much easier to work with Pakistan in attempting to fashion peace in Afghanistan as opposed to trying to fashion a way to fight the war,” the diplomat remarked.
He said the United States wanted Pakistan to play an important role in that Afghan reconciliation process, which Washington desired to begin soon.
