ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz met Afghan Ambassador Omar Zakhilwal on Monday to discuss the aftermath of the death of Taliban leader Akhtar Mansour in a US drone attack.

The Foreign Office issued a picture of the meeting, but did not make a statement on the interaction which was being keenly watched by those who observe developments related to Afghanistan.

This was the first announced meeting between the adviser and the Afghan ambassador since the drone attack on Mansour.

The meeting, according to a source aware of the discussions, “focused on latest developments and events”.

The source was referring to Mansour’s death, succession among the Taliban, and prospects of peace.

Pakistan has been bilaterally engaging with the US and Afghanistan to assess the situation arising after Mansour’s killing, particularly the future of Quadrilateral Coordination Group, which works for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

Adviser on Foreign Affairs Aziz had last Thursday shared Pakistani view of the situation.

“We believe that this action has undermined the Afghan peace process.…We believe this approach will further destabilise Afghanistan, which will have negative implications for the region, especially due to the presence of a large number of terrorist groups in Afghanistan,” he had said at the FO briefing.

Pakistan, nevertheless, is still hopeful about the QCG process despite its regrets that decisions at the group’s last meeting were not respected.

“Pakistan believes that politically negotiated settlement remains the most viable option for bringing lasting peace to Afghanistan.…will continue to pursue the objective in close consultation with Afghanistan government and other members of the QCG,” Mr Aziz had said.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2016