Top US diplomat Alice Wells arrives in Pakistan on second visit this month

ISLAMABAD: US Department of State’s Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Ambassador Alice Wells arrived in Islamabad on Monday.

Wells met with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and other officials in the capital. During the meeting, the ambassador exchanged ideas on US policy regarding South Asia and the efforts being taken for regional peace and stability, said a statement from the US Embassy.

The senior State Department official is visiting Pakistan for the second time this month. Wells visited Islamabad and Karachi from March 28 to April 3, and held meetings with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, National Security Adviser Lt Gen (R) Nasser Khan Janjua and Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

“During her visit, Ambassador Wells discussed the South Asia strategy and Pakistan’s stated commitment to eliminate all terrorist groups present within its borders, as well as our shared interest in building economic and commercial ties that benefit both nations. In the aftermath of the Tashkent conference on Afghanistan, Ambassador Wells noted the growing international consensus on the way forward to achieving peace in Afghanistan and the meaningful role that Pakistan, partnering with the United States, could play in achieving a peaceful resolution in Afghanistan,” a US embassy statement had said regarding her earlier visit.

Pakistan can play role in achieving peace in Afghanistan: Alice Wells

Wells visited Islamabad and Karachi from March 28 to April 3 and held meetings with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and National Security Adviser Lt Gen (R) Nasser Khan Janjua and the army chief

In Karachi, Wells discussed ongoing efforts by the US to build strong economic and people-to-people ties with the people of Karachi and Sindh.

Wells also met Minister of Interior Ahsan Iqbal, SAFRON Minister Abdul Qadir Baloch, Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Miftah Ismail, and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Country Representative Ruven Menikdiwela during that visit.

Having served as a political officer at US Embassy in Islamabad, Wells also visited Pakistan back in January this year. She was accompanied by senior officials from US National Security Council and Ambassador David Hale.