ISLAMABAD, June 23: The US Deputy Secretary of State for South Asia and Central Asian Affairs John Gastright on Friday asked Islamabad to play an effective role in restoring peace in Afghanistan, an official of the interior ministry quoted the US official as saying.

During his meeting with Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao at his office here, the US official expressed “grave concern” over the deteriorating law and order situation in the neighbouring country.

The government of Pakistan and Afghanistan are currently engaged in trading allegation, accusing each other of patronising terrorism in their territories.

The official said during the meeting, issues of cross-border infiltration, the law and order situation in Balochistan also came under discussion.

Meanwhile, the interior ministry issued a press release which said that the US deputy secretary of state had “appreciated the front-line role of Pakistan in the war on terror”.

It quoted Mr Gastright as saying that the US-Pakistan cooperation in the war against terrorism would further strengthen in future.