WASHINGTON -- Gen. Joseph L. Votel, the commander of US Central Command, acknowledged Pakistan's positive role in recent talks between the United States and the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, according to a US Senate transcript of his Tuesday (February 5) remarks to the Senate Armed Services Committee.
"Pakistan's actions are often a source of frustration to US regional efforts in Afghanistan," he testified. He faulted Pakistan for failing to take "any concrete or irreversible steps such as arresting or expelling Taliban leaders who do not co-operate with reconciliation efforts".
However, Pakistan has assisted US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad "by facilitating talks with the Taliban", he said.
"Pakistan presents the US with challenges and opportunities in the execution of our South Asia Strategy," he added.
