London talks ‘very positive’, says Kabul envoy

Britain brokered top brass meeting between two countries

ISLAMABAD: In a move that may help break the months-old stalemate, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed on a ‘mechanism’ to address each other’s concerns over militant groups after high-level talks between the senior officials hosted by Britain this week.

The ice-breaking meeting between Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Afghan National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar was the first high-level face-to-face contact between the two neighbours since their ties hit a new low following the recent surge in terrorist incidents in Pakistan.

Officials familiar with the development told The Express Tribune that the two sides in the presence of British National Security Adviser Mark Lyall Grant shared each other’s concerns on ‘terrorist’ sanctuaries.’

At the heart of the problem is allegation that the two sides often level against the other for allowing certain militant groups to have ‘hideouts.’

Pakistan has been particularly persuading Afghanistan to eliminate safe havens of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban and Jumatul Ahrar, which claimed responsibility for the recent terrorist attacks in the country.



In order to exert pressure on Afghanistan, Pakistan last month closed key border crossings affecting both trade and people who frequently shuttle between the two countries.

At his weekly briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakria told reporters that the meeting in London provided an opportunity for the two sides to engage and discuss issues of mutual interest.

“The issues pertain to use of Afghan soil against Pakistan, our concern about sanctuaries enjoyed by various terrorist outfits and our concern about the funding and the financing of these terrorist elements to destabilise Pakistan,” Zakria said referring to the issues discussed in the London parleys.

Diplomatic sources said the two sides decided to evolve a mechanism under which concerns of both sides would be addressed.

Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Omar Zakhilwal, who also attended the talks in Britain, termed the talks between Sartaj and Atmar ‘very positive.’

In a statement issued here on Thursday, the Afghan envoy said the meeting was aimed at agreeing on a mechanism for genuine bilateral cooperation on fighting terrorism and steps and measures to improve the current tense bilateral relations.



“Discussions were substantive, constructive, forward-looking and resultful,” Zakhiwal added.

“The success of this important meeting certainly will be judged by the common people of our two respective countries as to how this, in practical terms, responds to their aspiration for good neighborly relations, peace and their well-being,” he maintained.

“We are positive that the implementation of the mechanism we agreed upon can inject the needed trust and confidence for constructive forward-looking state-to-state relations and cooperation.”

Meanwhile, Foreign office spokesperson said Pakistan hoped that India would soon realize the importance of dialogue process to address all outstanding issues including Kashmir.

Reacting to the recent visit of Indian Parliamentary delegation and India’s willingness for a meeting of Indus Water Commissioners, the spokesperson said Pakistan wanted a sustainable dialogue process, which must not be disrupted on ‘flimsy’ grounds.

He said Pakistan wanted peaceful neighborhood to achieve the goal of regional prosperity but unfortunately India was using Pakistan card in domestic politics.



Zakria welcomed the UN Secretary-General's statement seeking de-escalation of tensions between Pakistan and India on Kashmir dispute.

“It is the responsibility of UN to help resolve the issue,” he said referring to the UN resolutions on Kashmir.

The spokesperson condemned the killing and injuring of Kashmiris by Indian occupation forces and arrest of Kashmiri leadership.