Pakistan

Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to non-interference in internal affairs

Leading Pakistani delegation, President Mamnoon says, peace in Afghanistan is indispensable

Kamran Yousuf June 24, 2016

Leading Pakistani delegation, President Mamnoon says, peace in Afghanistan is indispensable. PHOTO: PID

Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday reaffirmed respect for each other’s territorial integrity and adherence to the principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tashkent today. Afghan National Security Adviser Haneef Atmar was also present.

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Building upon the ideas generated in the meeting between Foreign Secretary and Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister in Islamabad on June 20, the two agreed to constitute a high-level bilateral mechanism for consultation and coordination on various important issues relating to bilateral relations and cooperation, including security, movement of people and vehicles between the two countries and other relevant issues.

According to FO, the proposed mechanism will be co-chaired by Aziz and Rabbani, along with the participation of National Security Advisers of Pakistan and Afghanistan. It will also have a joint technical working group to deal with the concerns of both countries.

"The main purpose of this mechanism would be not only to address and resolve issues of concern to both sides through amicable means but also to prevent the recurrence of violent incidents like the ones witnessed recently in Torkham," the statement read.

Addressing the SCO Summit, President Mamnoon Hussain said, "Pakistan has turned tables for terrorists through Zarb-e-Azb."

Pak-Afghan relations: Bilateral ties only solution to Taliban

Leading the Pakistani delegation, President Mamnoon further said that peace in Afghanistan is indispensable.

Meanwhile on the sidelines of the summit, both neighbours expressed firm commitment to continue efforts towards eliminating terrorism from the region.

Discussing the importance of bilateral relations, Pakistan and Afghanistan stressed the need for continuing joint efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan through timely and concrete actions resulting in tangible outcomes, including the framework of Quadrilateral Coordination Group process.

COMMENTS (2)

Rustam | 7 years ago | Reply @Khalid Latif: The issue here is different. There is a third party, maintaining around a dozen consulates in Afghanistan to operate for straining relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. These consulates of that country are operating as posts for its proxy war against Pakistan. I do not know if there is any Guinness Record of Consulates per Capita of other countries in host countries. That will open the eyes of the world, if least said.

Khalid Latif | 7 years ago | Reply We are good at complicating things. Both the countries have rules and regulations about almost all matters. All it needs is an exchange of those among each other, which does not require 'sitting down of both foreign affairs advisors, security advisors' and God knows who else. Hot lines with the military and the government works instantly, if both sides sincerely wish to keep their relations going. Pakistan needs to be more practical and clear in its stance. Meetings, talks and discussions only prolong and complicate the matters.

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