• Prime Minister Imran Khan met with Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. Special Representative for Reconciliation in Afghanistan.
• The Prime Minister stated that the conflict in Afghanistan will pose a severe challenge to Pakistan.
• The Prime Minister recalled that he had always emphasized that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated on Monday that peace in Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interests, as wars in neighboring countries will pose a serious challenge to Islamabad.

The Prime Minister made the above comments during his meeting with Ambassador Khalilzad, the U.S. Special Representative for Reconciliation Affairs in Afghanistan. The two sides exchanged views on the current situation in Afghanistan and the need to speed up the peace process.

As part of the visit to the region, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad is on a one-day visit to Islamabad.

The Prime Minister said: “The escalation of conflict and instability in Afghanistan is not in Pakistan’s interest because it will pose serious challenges to Pakistan in terms of security and the influx of refugees, adding that a lasting peace in Afghanistan will open the way for regional economic interconnection. “

The Prime Minister emphasized Pakistan’s constructive efforts to promote peace to achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political solution to end the more than 40-year conflict in Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister recalled that he had always emphasized that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.

He said that imposing a government by force will not lead to a settlement of the conflict. Only a negotiated settlement can bring lasting peace and stability to Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan has always supported a peaceful, stable and unified Afghanistan, and emphasized that a safe and secure western border is in Pakistan’s best interests. Pakistan is willing to maintain close contact with the United States and other relevant countries to promote peace efforts.

The Prime Minister emphasized that all parties in Afghanistan need to show flexibility and make meaningful contacts with each other.

Prime Minister Imran Khan added that, as he suggested at the Central and South Asian Connectivity Conference in Tashkent recently, Afghanistan’s neighboring and regional countries must work together constructively to achieve a lasting political settlement in Afghanistan. .

“The war in Afghanistan poses a risk to the entire region”

In addition, the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan statementIt was mentioned that Khalilzad met with Prime Minister Imran Khan and General Kamal Javed Bajwa, Chief of Staff of the Army today.

Khalilzad said during the meeting: “The ongoing war in Afghanistan poses a threat to the entire region and hinders its development.”

The Special Representative said that by contrast, peace will enable regional interconnection and promote trade and development.

He added: “Practical and material support for the Afghan peace process is critical to its ultimate success, as is the positive long-term relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan.”