ISLAMABAD, JAN 15 (DNA) – US Acting Assistant Secretary of State Ambassador Alice Wells on Monday said Pakistan’s support was critical to the success of the US strategy for Afghanistan as an immediate neighbour and important country of the region.

The American diplomat arrived in Islamabad to hold meetings with Pakistani officials, the first visit from a senior American official since President Trump’s New Year Tweet in which he accused Pakistan of giving Washington nothing but “lies and deceit”.

In a meeting with the Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua in Islamabad, Ms Wells noted the importance of the longstanding bilateral relationship, and acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts in eradicating terrorism and conveyed the US desire to work with Pakistan in furthering the shared objectives of stabilising Afghanistan.