RAWALPINDI: US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman called on Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa here.
Deputy Secretary Sherman visited Pakistan on 7-8 October 2021. Her visit followed the recent meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and US Secretary of State Blinken on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on 23 September 2021. During the rendezvous COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa said Pakistan, that supported an all inclusive Afghan Government, was committed to making all-out efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa emphasized to maintain meaningful bilateral engagement for an enduring multi-domain Pak-US terms. US Deputy Secretary of State lauded the way Pakistan had played its role to make the evacuation operations successful. Wendy Sherman pledged to continue endeavoring for the regional peace with Pakistan. Wendy Sherman and General Bajwa pondered over issues regarding regional security and collaboration in humanitarian measures in Afghanistan.
Earlier, during a meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R Sherman in Islamabad, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi stressed that there was a fundamental convergence between Pakistan and the United States on the need for a peaceful settlement in Afghanistan. He expressed the hope that the new setup in Afghanistan would make concerted efforts for peace and stability as well as work towards the betterment of the lives of all Afghan people.
While talking to the Pakistan side led by the Foreign Minister, Deputy Secretary Sherman underscored the importance of long-standing relationship between Pakistan and the US. It was agreed to continue close communication and coordination on the situation in Afghanistan, security and counter-terrorism, trade and investment, climate change, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity. The Deputy Secretary of State was accompanied by Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia Donald Lu. Views were exchanged on bilateral relations, Afghanistan, and regional peace and stability.
