Help US bring Taliban to negotiating table, Trump writes to Imran Khan

US President Donald Trump has written to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan seeking his help in bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table to end the war in Afghanistan, Pakistani officials said on Monday. Earlier, Trump had said that Pakistan does not do a ‘damn thing’ for the US, alleging that Islamabad had helped al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden hide near its garrison city of Abbottabad.

The development came weeks after Trump said Pakistan does not do "a damn thing" for the US, alleging that Islamabad had helped al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden hide near its garrison city of Abbottabad.

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In the letter, Trump "stated that his most important regional priority was achieving a negotiated settlement of the Afghan war. In this regard, he has sought Pakistan's support and facilitation," the Foreign Office said.

“The war had cost both the US and Pakistan and we should explore opportunities to work together and renew partnership,” it said.

Pakistan welcomes the decision to explore ways for a political settlement of the Afghan issue, the FO said.

"Since Pakistan has always advocated a political settlement to end the war in Afghanistan, US decision is welcomed," it said.

Pakistan also reiterated its commitment to play a facilitation role in good faith, stressing that peace and stability in Afghanistan was a shared responsibility.

Donald Trump in his letter to Khan requested "Pakistan's full support for the US-led Afghan peace process and Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad's upcoming trip to the region," a spokesperson of the US National Security Council told news agency PTI in Washington.  

"The president recognises that Pakistan has the ability to deny the Taliban sanctuary on its territory...The letter also makes clear that Pakistan's assistance with the Afghan peace process is fundamental to building an enduring US-Pakistan partnership," the spokesperson said.

Last month, the Pentagon said that the US has suspended USD 1.66 billion in security assistance to Pakistan after President Trump's directive.

In September, the Trump administration cancelled US dollar 300 million in military aid to Islamabad for not doing enough against terror groups like the Haqqani Network and the Taliban active on its soil.

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The Trump administration, in the recent months, has intensified its efforts to seek a negotiated settlement of America's longest war in Afghanistan where the US has lost over 2,400 soldiers since late 2001 when it invaded the country after the 9/11 terror attacks.

The Taliban are fighting to flush out international forces and re-establish their regime in Afghanistan after their ouster in 2001. 

(With PTI inputs)