Nawaz holds talks with Ghani on the sidelines of SCO summit

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, days after the latter lashed out at Pakistan at the Kabul Process where he alleged that it was waging an ‘undeclared war’ against Afghanistan.

Though details of the meeting were not released to the media, it was clear that terrorism dominated the discussion between the two leaders. In addition, border fencing and regional security is thought to have also figured in the discussion.

According to media reports, the prime minister’s itinerary did not include a meeting with the Afghan president. However, it was arranged on Ghani’s initiative.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have long accused each other of turning a blind eye to militants operating along their porous border, and their forces exchanged fire over a border dispute last month.

The recent bloody attack in the diplomatic enclave in Kabul in which nearly 150 people have lost their lives further strains the relations between the two counties despite the top civil and military leadership in Islamabad condemning the blast and offering all cooperation on militancy.

 



Past attempts at peace talks have failed. The Taliban have refused to negotiate with the government until all foreign forces leave, and still refer to themselves as a government in exile, angering authorities in Kabul.

The meeting — which lasted for around an hour — was held at the suite of the Afghan president in the Ramada hotel, where the premier was also residing. PM’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaz Aziz also attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin also met on Friday in Kazakhstan.

According to the media, the Russian leader congratulated Pakistan for becoming a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Putin assured Sharif that Russia would extend full cooperation in every field to Pakistan, especially in the war against terrorism.

Also, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said there were legitimate expectations from the United Nations to play its due role in addressing the myriad challenges of today, including the long-outstanding issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

He appreciated efforts of the UN Secretary General and expressed his support to his call for cooperation among states and other stakeholders for advancing the agenda of peace and cooperation by resolving disputes through dialogue and negotiations, agreeing that this was essential for success in conflict prevention and resolution.

The prime minister was talking to Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, who called on him here on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

Congratulating Pakistan on a successful SCO membership, the UN secretary-general said Pakistan was an important member of the international community and was playing an active role in the United Nations.

During the meeting, the two also exchanged views on other issues of significance at the bilateral, regional and international levels.

The prime minister said pursuing membership of the SCO was an important milestone and achievement of foreign policy of Pakistan.

It advanced government's policy of peaceful neighbourhood and enhancing connectivity in the region.

He further said Pakistan believed in building cooperative and stronger relationships with other members of the international community. Both agreed that peace in the region and the world at large was in everyone's interest.

Guterres appreciated Pakistan's role in hosting Afghan refugees for the past 37 years.

(With additional input from APP)