Enhanced bilateralism between both countries -- with particular emphasis on the Pak-Afghan border coordination mechanism, intelligence sharing and transparency -- were deliberated upon.
Matters to enhance bilateral military-to-military relations were also discussed during the meeting.
General Raheel offered a full range of training courses and facilities in Pakistan’s training institutions to Afghan security forces, as well as an enhancement of an infantry brigade and provision of equipment.
The army chief said treating terrorism as a common enemy would be the only way to ensure regional security.
Further, he congratulated the newly elected Afghan president, and reiterated that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s best interest.
The army chief expressed hope that the new government in Afghanistan would prove to be a historic opportunity to transform Pak-Afghan relations into a ‘warm and mutually beneficial’ relationship.
Later, during his meetings with the Afghan defence minister and chief of general staff, the delegation from Pakistan was briefed on the latest security situation in Afghanistan by Afghan military officials.
During the meeting, the transfer of security responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces in the wake of the US, ISAF drawdown were also deliberated upon.
Raheel's meeting with Ghani ends on positive note
Army chief General Raheel Sharif met Afghan president Ashraf Ghani on Thursday during his maiden visit to the neighbouring country, according to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
DG ISPR General Asim Bajwa tweeted that the meeting between the army chief and Ghani ended on a "great deal of good will and positivity.”
Afgn Visit:#COAS meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani finished.A great deal of good will and positivity.Mtg with NSA starts
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) November 6, 2014
General Raheel will now continue his meetings with the Afghan national security adviser and Chief Executive Officer Dr Abdullah Abdullah.
The army chief’s visit marks the first high-profile visit from Islamabad since the formation of unity government in Afghanistan.
During the day-long trip, which comes ahead of President Ghani’s visit to Islamabad, the army chief is expected to assure the Afghan leadership that Pakistan is ready to open a new chapter in its relationship.
An official said, “We are ready to work with the new Afghan government. The two neighbours can bury the past and enter into a new partnership agreement.”
Relations between the two sides have been tense over the past few months and marked by suspicion due to the growing distrust.
COMMENTS (21)
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@ISmellSmoke: where there is fire , there is smoke . You don't have to look beyond your boundary with envy . The training etc is a page taken out of the book someone else .
No communique was issued by the Afghan govt after Raheel's visit on reaching of any better understanding on border issues or acceptance of its troops training by Pakistan. India is already training Afghan officers in India and troops training schedule has already been finalised which will commence soon. The trust deficit between two countries shall continue until Pakistan stops aiding Afghan Taliban.
@BruteForce: @Sandip: Thanks buddies for the goodwill from across the border.
@Khalid
We'll gladly take back our 100,000 if you take back your 3-10 million countrymen living in our country.
@Candid1:
Will Pakistan give back all the F16s, Billions of dollars it has collected from International donors citing its participation in Afghanistan?
You don't want the people, Human Beings, but want the money, weapons and free stuff?
"General Raheel offered a full range of training courses and facilities in Pakistan’s training institutions to Afghan security forces". Does that also include training to breed terrorists and conduct coups?
We hope this time Pakistan does not play double roles as usual. In anyway Afghanistan must be very conscious with any relationship with Pakistan considering the past experiences.
I personally believe that we should continue such meetings and contacts to rebuild trust which has been damaged during the last 2 decades. Afghanistan also should realize the reality that as a neighbor they cannot ignore Pakistan's importance for their future security and economic concerns. In order to degrade India's influence in Afghanistan, they will have to take the Afghan leadership in confidence by conducting joint surveillance and operations against TTP and other miscreants who are trying to make two Muslim countries fight each other.
@Khalid: buddy, Afghans and Pakistanis are born brothers but problem is, in past your intel agencies have worked with indian Raw through ttp which have left more than 50,000 innocent Pakistanis dead thats the the problem, Bother we have alot of respect for you Afghan brothers but what hurts us is when your intel agencies work with our enemies. But I wish you all the best and prosperous future. May Allah Bless you and your country. Real Afghans are brothers of Pakistanis from generations.
@Alladitta: your first line show that you are not from Pakistan. you need to to learn accurate pronunciation and information before pretending to be Alladitta from Pakistan...!
The importance of shared cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan remains high since the terrorists on both sides of the border continue to infiltrate the region with their acts of terror. The common challenges have often ignited allegations from both ends, but at the end of the day Afghanistan and Pakistan must form a healthy working relationship in order to counter the common threat of terrorism. I think it is easy to see that both nations are making strong efforts to iron out any differences and work together for the betterment of the region. We certainly wish to see the regional partners communicating and coordinating effectively for the sake of achieving our shared peace objectives in the region.
Ali Khan Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM
Good beginning. Man is known for winning people over with good humour and his candid style. Let us see if he has charmed the Afghan President.Pakistan must come good on its promises.Afghans have already suffered for too long.
All meetings end positively ! Sadly not much substance to take away though ! Try making Durrand line as international boundary, then we will believe it !
All respect to General Raheel Sharif, an out of nowhere visit from our Army Chief to Afghanistan says that Pakistan's terms with Afghanistan are going to improve.
@Khalid: You are a real Afghan Brave we heard and read about in history books! Thanks!
@Alladitta As an Afghan I don't wish Pakistani people and even the state anything bad. When are we going to realize that by working together we can have a prosperous Afghanistan and Pakistan, but somehow mistrust prevails.
@Candid1 Mate stop this rhetoric of yours it wont does not serve anyone, but the enemy. There are over hundred thousand Pakistani workers working in Afghanistan and we welcome that.
bravo!!!! de-facto foreign minister/defence minister... i wonder what the government is doing!
@Alladitta: Also add to the list what the Afghan refugees have been doing in Pakistan. That list is endless too. But you got to leave aside doordarshan and live in Pakistan to have a clear picture you know..
@Alladitta.. when did you become a Pakistani national ? were you not an Indian troll till last night ?
Did the Afghan President tell the general when he will take back the millions of Afghans living in Pakistan?
Everyone who goes to Afghanistan claims that all issues have been resolved, I can recall similar statements from sartaz aziz, mullah fazlullah etc.. But no changes are visible on ground, rather the situation is getting more complicated. Are Afghans going to do to us what we did to them?, kill intellectuals, destroy national institutions, the list is endless.