ISLAMABAD - US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) Ambassador James Dobbins Monday met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters (GHQ) and discussed with him matters of mutual interest, including post-election situation in Afghanistan and coordination along the Pak-Afghan border.
According to a press statement released by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), it was the farewell visit of US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador James F Dobbins.
Another statement released by the US Embassy in Pakistan stated that Dobbins, during his visit to Pakistan, also met Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.
During his visit, Dobbins also called on Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz at the Foreign Office, the statement added.
Ambassador Dobbins appreciated the opportunity to meet with the Pakistani leadership. He reaffirmed the importance of the US-Pakistani relations to regional stability and agreed to continue to work together in order to build a stronger partnership to advance the common objectives.
According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the discussions covered Pakistan-US bilateral relations and developments in Afghanistan. The two sides reiterated their resolve to further deepen the bilateral relations and strengthen mutual consultations on the post-2014 Afghanistan with a view to advancing the shared objectives of peace, stability and economic development in the region and beyond.
In the regional context, the advisor reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and united Afghanistan. He appreciated the efforts of Secretary of State John Kerry who had contributed to an amicable understanding on election-related issues.
The adviser also underlined Pakistan’s support for a peaceful democratic transition, underscoring its vital importance for stability in Afghanistan and the region at large.
“The Adviser highlighted Pakistan’s monumental effort to address the threat of terrorism and underscored that the military operation is addressing this menace without any discrimination or distinction,” a Foreign Ministry statement quoted Aziz as telling Ambassador Dobbins.
Pakistani forces launched major offensive “Zarb-e-Azb” against local and foreign militants on June 15, 2014, and have sp far killed over 450 militants.
Aziz welcomed the solution to the election crisis in Afghanistan and appreciated the efforts of Secretary John Kerry who had contributed to an amicable understanding on election-related issues.
Dobbins arrived in Pakistan on Monday on a farewell visit after meeting President Hamid Karzai in Kabul.
The adviser took the opportunity to laud Ambassador Dobbins’ efforts for the promotion of stable, cooperative and durable relations between Pakistan and the US during his term as special representative, Afghanistan and Pakistan.