On July 7, 2015, Afghan government officials and Taliban members met in Murree, thanks to Pakistan's

efforts. These were the closed-door discussions between the Kabul administration and the Taliban and
the US and China. Pakistan successfully concluded these negotiations and announced that the next
round would take place soon. Mullah Muhammad Omer, the Afghan Taliban's leader, died two years ago
due to sickness, just before the second round of talks. The second round of talks was postponed as a
result of this news. The Taliban's leader, Mullah Akhter Mansour, declared that the Taliban would fight
foreign invaders and the western-backed puppet government in Afghanistan. The Peace Process has
been derailed again as a result of this news.

Pakistan has revived its peace efforts through the Quadrilateral Coordination Group, bringing the
Taliban back to the negotiating table. However, on May 21, 2016, the United States assassinated Taliban
leader Mullah Akhter Mansour near the Pakistan-Iran border. According to President Barack Obama,
Mullah Akhter Mansour was complicit in the deaths of American forces and Afghan civilians and was
also a roadblock to peace. Pakistan refuted this claim, claiming that the Murree discussions were held
due to Mullah Akhter Mansour's efforts. The United States once again ignored Pakistan's peace
attempts.

On December 26, 2016, Pakistani officials met with Russian and Chinese officials to discuss bringing
peace to Afghanistan. All countries agreed to allow Taliban sanctions to travel freely. This move will
entice Taliban commanders to return to the negotiating table. There was no sign of the Afghan
government or the Taliban. Pakistan has long played a vital role, but American authorities have
continually pressed Pakistan to "Do More."

President Trump followed in the footsteps of his predecessors and criticised Pakistan. President Trump
claimed that Pakistan has received about $30 billion in aid but that Pakistan has done little to help
America. Trump also accused Pakistan of supporting terrorism and supplying terrorist groups with safe-
havens. President Trump further claimed that Pakistan fooled America on numerous occasions and
played a double game with the United States.

Pakistan reacted angrily to the charges, and Prime Minister Abbasi convened a National Security
Committee meeting. Pakistan claimed that we had completed our operations within the country. There
are no terrorist training centres in Pakistan, and President Trump has no reliable information regarding
Pakistan's peace efforts. It wasn't the first time American authorities chastised Pakistan for allowing
terrorists to hide in their country. President Obama has repeatedly stated that he wants to "do more"
for Pakistan.

At various times, the Afghan government has expressed dissatisfaction with American pressure on
Pakistan to destroy terrorist organisations operating in the country. Pakistan and its ties to the Taliban
were important to the United States. In June 2018, the United States sought Pakistan to facilitate
indirect peace negotiations with the Taliban. Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States, and Mike
Pompeo, Secretary of State, met with Pakistani civilian and military leaders to request assistance in the
Afghan Peace Process.

In a seminar, US officials for Central and South Asia said that a peaceful Afghanistan would benefit
Pakistan's domestic security. Pakistan held general elections in 2018, and Imran Khan was elected as the
country's next prime minister. Khan has long emphasised the importance of negotiating an end to the
Afghan war. However, Trump's decision to terminate ties with Pakistan's military.
Nonetheless, American strategy switched from reintegration to reconciliation in late 2018. In 2018, the
Trump administration instructed its ambassadors to begin direct discussions with the Taliban. However,
without Pakistan's full backing, this policy will fail. Pakistan's envoy to the United States met with the US
Secretary of Defense and informed him that his peace discussions with the Taliban were progressing
well.

President Trump wrote Prime Minister Khan a letter requesting assistance in the Afghan Peace Process.
Following strong claims against Pakistan, President Trump realised that withdrawing American forces
from Afghanistan would be impossible without Pakistan. Pakistan has responded favourably to President
Trump's request for assistance in Afghanistan.

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US Special Representative for Reconciliation, has visited Pakistan several times to
advise Pakistan on the continuing peace talks with the Taliban in Doha and solicit Pakistan's assistance.
Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Military Chief, and Prime Minister assured Zalmay of Pakistan's commitment
to the current peace process. Prime Minister Khan also paid a visit to the United States. He told
President Trump that Pakistan had made every effort to bring peace to Afghanistan.

Pakistan has lost billions of dollars and thousands of people due to the calm situation in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has always supported peace in Afghanistan and will continue to do so in the future. However, in
September 2019, President Trump abruptly stated that peace talks with the Taliban had ended. Pakistan
emphasised that the United States had begun peace negotiations with the Taliban. These peace
discussions are beneficial to the United States, the Taliban, and Pakistan.

Taliban and US discussions began in December 2019 where they left off. Zalmay Khalilzad, the United
States' Special Representative for Reconciliation, likewise praises Pakistan's Afghan Peace Process. In
early 2020, Zalmay visited Pakistan and met with the country's senior civilian and military authorities. He
also stated that Intra Afghan Talks would occur following the Taliban-American peace pact, thanks to
Pakistan's involvement.

In Doha on February 29, the Taliban and the United States signed a peace agreement. There was also
Pakistan's Foreign Minister in attendance. All stakeholders praised Pakistan's efforts in Afghanistan. US
Secretary of State John Kerry praised Pakistan's contributions to this peace deal. The Taliban also
expressed gratitude to Pakistan for facilitating the peace negotiations. Pakistan's Prime Minister
expressed his delight at the agreement and voiced hope that it would end the terrible conflict.