Kabul taking steps to cut peace deal with Pakistan: Ghani

Afghan president says Kabul does not want to destabilise Pakistan

Afghanistan's president has said that his administration has taken "necessary steps" to reach a peace deal with Pakistan, according to Khamaa Press.

Ashraf Ghani was speaking to local residents and elders of southern Zabul province. He also sought to quash the "impression" that Kabul wanted to destabilise Pakistan.

He said neither his government nor the Afghan nation wanted to destabilise Pakistan. "Afghanistan will not allow its soil to be used by anyone to harm Pakistan," he added.



President Ghani also dismissed as baseless the perception that his administration's strategy regarding peace and reconciliation were not clear.

He was apparently referring to his previous remarks where he insisted that talks with Pakistan were important before peace dialogue with insurgent groups in Afghanistan.

Afghan officials have long criticised Pakistan for allegedly sheltering the Taliban and the Haqqani network on its soil – a charge Islamabad has vehemently denied.