Instead of blame game Pak-Afghan should engage in concrete cooperation: Tehmina Janjua

Janjua visits Kabul for APAPS talks

ISLAMABAD: A high-level Pakistani delegation, led by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, visited Kabul on Saturday to hold discussion with their Afghan counterparts, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai, on the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).

The APAPPS is a joint action plan for cooperation in the areas of counter-terrorism and reduction of violence, peace and reconciliation, Afghan refugees’ repatriation and joint economic development.

The Foreign Secretary has explained that instead of blame game both sides should engage in concrete cooperation

— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) February 3, 2018

According to a press release issued by the Foreign Office, the meeting was held in a cordial environment and both delegations made some progress on the APAPPS.

“There are still important areas to be discussed and agreed upon, and both sides remain committed to continuing their discussions to reach an agreement on the APAPPS,” it said, adding that the next meeting would take place on February 9 and 10.

APAPS expected to help solidify Pak-Afghan bilateral relations pic.twitter.com/aXTN8ZC2NQ

— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) February 3, 2018

Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal later tweeted that during the meeting, Pakistan put emphasis on strengthening border management on the Afghan side. Pakistan, he added, also urged the Afghan government to take action against anti-Pakistan terrorists.

 

Pak delegation arrives in Kabul, led by Foreign Secretary, Ms Tehmina Janjua pic.twitter.com/6DAaXc48u4

— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) February 3, 2018

According media reports, Tehmina Janjua said that instead of getting engaged in a blame game, Pakistan and Afghanistan should engage in concrete cooperation. She also condemned the recent Kabul attacks and offered Pakistan’s assistance for a joint investigation.

Earlier, the Afghan interior minister and the National Directorate of Security (NDS) chief had visited Islamabad and met Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and other top civil and military officials for seeking Pakistan’s cooperation in the wake of the recent spate of deadly attacks in Afghanistan.