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Chief Afghan Peacemaker Visits Pakistan

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - AbdullahAbdullah, the head of Afghanistan's peacemaking
   High Council for National Reconciliation,has beguna three-day official
   visit to Pakistan.
   Abdullah is undertaking his first visit to theneighboringcountry in
   more than a decade amid peace negotiations between representatives of
   the Afghan government and Taliban insurgentsunderwayin Qatar.
   Officials in Islamabad said that in meetings between Abdullah and Prime
   Minister Imran Khan as well as other top Pakistani leaders, the two
   sides will discuss matters related to the U.S.-brokeredintra-Afghan
   dialogueand strengthening of bilateral relations.
   The ongoing talks between the Afghan warring factions, which commenced
   earlier this month in Qatar'scapital of Doha, are a product of the
   February 29 agreement the United States signed with the Taliban to
   close the war in Afghanistan.
   President Donald Trump's administration credits Pakistan, known for
   maintaining close contacts with the Taliban, for encouraging the
   insurgents to negotiate the deal to help the U.S. extricate its troops
   from America's longest conflict.
   "Pakistan is deeply gratified that it has fulfilled its part of the
   responsibility," Khan said Friday while addressing the United Nations
   General Assembly.

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