Pakistan’s terror war successes acknowledged

Afghan president, Chinese FM and German defence minister meet COAS

RAWALPINDI:

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has underlined the need to enhance bilateral relations between Kabul and Islamabad, and vowed to work together with Pakistan to eliminate ‘the common threat of terrorism’.

President Ghani – who met army chief General Raheel Sharif on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process on Tuesday – also acknowledged Pakistan’s successes in the ongoing war against terrorism.



According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting was focused on regional security with particular reference to the security situation and peace process in Afghanistan.

Gen Raheel assured the Afghan president of Pakistan’s continued full support for intelligence sharing, operational coordination and reconciliation process for peace and stability in Afghanistan.

He said Pakistan was committed to working together with Afghanistan on the basis of mutual interest and respect. “We should pursue a strategic relationship that is enduring and enhances the security and concomitant prosperity of both brotherly countries,” the ISPR quoted Gen Raheel as saying.



While acknowledging the need to undertake confidence-building measures in order to engender trust, President Ghani and Gen Raheel agreed to further enhance mutual relations by enhancing the ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan security cooperation, the statement added.

Separately, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also called on Gen Raheel Sharif at General Headquarters to discuss regional security and enhanced bilateral defence and security cooperation between the two countries.

“Wang Yi appreciated progress of an effective, across-the-board Operation Zarb-e-Azb by Pakistan Army which helped eliminate the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) just as it eliminated elements of all other terrorist groups based in the area,” the ISPR said in a statement.



Underlining the importance of  CPEC, Wang said the project would have highly significant and long-term impacts on the region.

Meanwhile, German Defence Minister Ursula Von der Leyen also called on Gen Raheel and discussed a wide range of issues, including defence cooperation, regional security and emerging geo-strategic environment.

“She appreciated the phenomenal successes of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and paid rich tributes to the martyrs of Pakistani security forces,” the ISPR said.

Earlier, on her arrival at the GHQ, Ursula von der Leyen laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army presented guard of honour to the visiting dignitary.


Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2015.