ISLAMABAD: United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad on Tuesday appreciated Pakistan’s pledge to help fast-track the intra-Afghan dialogue as he concluded his two-day visit to the country.
Another high-profile American diplomat, Alice G. Wells, also traveled to Pakistan at the same time. However, her meetings focused on a much broader spectrum of issues between the two countries, though she also discussed the overall regional security situation, “including the joint efforts [by the US and Pakistan] to advance the Afghan peace process.”
In a statement released by the US Embassy on Tuesday, Khalilzad “requested and received support” from Pakistan to help “accelerate intra-Afghan dialogue and negotiations” that is viewed as vital to Washington’s exit strategy from Afghanistan.
The statement also claimed that he convinced Pakistani officials to use their influence to help bring down violence in the war-torn country, adding that the administration in Islamabad also expressed its willingness to take other “concrete steps necessary for a comprehensive settlement” in Afghanistan.
Lauding Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent remarks in support of the peace process, the US special envoy said that Afghan peace held particular significance for the region since it could facilitate regional economic integration. He also noted that such integration would also advance PM Khan’s vision for a development-centric transformation of his country.
Both US diplomats arrived in Islamabad on Monday and held combined and separate meetings with several senior Pakistani officials, including the military top brass.
Ambassador Wells met Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, Additional Secretary Interior Tariq Sardar, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat.
Her discussions centered on “opportunities to strengthen economic ties between the United States and Pakistan” and sought to identify “areas for growth in bilateral relationship,” the press handout added.
Following a meeting between the two US officials and Pakistan’s interagency delegation, headed by Additional Secretary Americas Aftab Khokhar, on Monday, the foreign office said the talks were a “part of regular consultations on the Afghan peace process, Pakistan-US bilateral relationship and regional security situation.”
The two sides agreed that all Afghan stakeholders as well as regional players had an important role to play in order to bring an end to the prolonged conflict, read the statement.
Pakistan also stressed the need to create a conducive environment in Afghanistan for “early and dignified return of Afghan refugees to their homeland.”
The two sides further reviewed the state of engagement and cooperation between Pakistan and the United States on a range of bilateral issues including political, economic and consular matters, according to the statement.
The US is seeking a safe exit from Afghanistan on the basis of an agreement among all stakeholders to end the 17-year-long Afghan conflict. However, the collapse of a meeting, which was scheduled to take place between representatives of the US, Taliban, and a large group of Afghan politicians in Qatar earlier this month – and the Taliban announcing their annual spring offensive – highlights the fact that political players in Afghanistan are far from reaching a consensus on the matter.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesman Dr. Muhammad Faisal told Arab News that while the dialogue between the US and the Taliban continues to be in place, the issues will not get resolved “until the US opens a wider dialogue,” citing strategic talks on Afghanistan – which involved the international community – as an example.
US Special envoy receives Pakistan’s support to expedite stalled intra-Afghan dialogue
US Special envoy receives Pakistan’s support to expedite stalled intra-Afghan dialogue
- Says dialogue and negotiations is vital to Washington’s withdrawal from Afghanistan
- Both sides discussed opportunities to strengthen economic ties
Pakistan highlights economic reforms at Davos, eyes cooperation in AI, IT and minerals
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks at breakfast event in Davos at sidelines of World Economic Forum summit
- Pakistan, rich in gold, copper reserves, has sought cooperation with China, US, Gulf countries in its mineral sector
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s recent economic reforms during the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos on Wednesday, saying that his country was eyeing greater cooperation in mines and minerals, information technology, cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence with other states.
The Pakistani prime minister was speaking at the Pakistan Pavilion in Davos on the sidelines of the WEF summit at a breakfast event. Sharif arrived in Switzerland on Tuesday to attend the 56th annual meeting of the WEF, which brings together global business leaders, policymakers and politicians to speak on social, economic and political challenges.
Pakistan has recently undertaken several economic reforms, which include removing subsidies on energy and food, privatization of loss-making state-owned enterprises and expanding its tax base. Islamabad took the measures as part of reforms it agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in exchange for a financial bailout package.
“We are now into mines and minerals business in a big way,” Sharif said at the event. “We have signed agreements with American companies and Chinese companies.”
Islamabad has sought to attract foreign investment in its critical minerals sector in recent months. In April 2025, Pakistan hosted an international minerals summit where top companies and government officials from the US, Saudi Arabia, China, Türkiye, the UK, Azerbaijan, and other nations attended.
Pakistan is rich in gold, copper and lithium reserves as well as other minerals, yet its mineral sector contributes only 3.2 percent to the countrys GDP and 0.1 percent to global exports, according to official figures.
Sharif said Pakistan has been blessed with infinite natural resources which are buried in its mountains in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and southwestern Balochistan regions.
“But we have now decided to go forward at lightning speed,” he said. “And we are also moving speedily in the field of crypto, AI, IT.”
He said the government’s fiscal and economic measures have reduced inflation from nearly 30 percent a few years ago to single-digit figures, adding that its tax-to-GDP ratio had also increased from 9 to 10.5 percent.
The prime minister admitted Pakistan’s exports face different kinds of challenges collectively, saying the country’s social indicators needed to improve.
“But the way forward is very clear: that Pakistan has to have an export-led growth,” he said.
SHARIF MEETS IMF MANAGING DIRECTOR
Separately, Sharif met IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on improvements in Pakistan’s macroeconomic indicators, efforts toward stability and progress on institutional reforms, a statement from Sharif’s office said.
He emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to fiscal discipline, revenue mobilization and sustainable development, it added.
The IMF managing director acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s reform efforts, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
“Both sides exchanged views on the global economic outlook, challenges facing emerging economies, and the importance of multilateral cooperation in safeguarding economic stability,” the PMO said.
