Islamabad, Kabul renew push for peace
Pakistan, Afghanistan security officials meet In Islamabad
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and Afghanistan made ‘significant progress’ towards finding a common ground for the endgame in Afghanistan after high-level talks between the two sides on Sunday, officials said.
Afghan National Security Adviser Haneef Atmar, who was accompanied by Interior Minister Waris Barmak and head of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) Masum Stankzai arrived in the federal capital for a day-long trip to find a common ground on bilateral relationship and the Afghan endgame.
The high-powered Afghan delegation held wide-ranging talks at the Prime Minister office with National Security Adviser Lt-Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua and later at the General Headquarters with Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
“Talks,” officials said, “focuses bilateral ties, border security and the Afghan peace process.”
It was rare that senior Afghan officials travelled together to Pakistan, renewing hopes that the two neighbours may find a solution to their intricate issues -- ranging from border management to dealing with militancy, and from Afghan peace process to regional stability.
Pak-Afghan leaders reiterate need for achieving regional security
The visit of the Afghan delegation comes against the backdrop of an agreement reached between the two countries earlier this month to operationlise the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).
APAPPS provides for a framework to strengthen mutual trust and deepen interaction in all spheres of bilateral engagements. It is also a mechanism for finding solutions to bilateral areas of concern.
Soon after landing in Islamabad, the Afghan delegation went into a session with National Security Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua.
Officials said the talks had made ‘significant progress’ on various issues, especially in identifying "irreconcilable elements”.
PM Abbasi says Afghan visit to prove a milestone
Both sides would work out a mechanism to deal with such elements while at the same time make a renewed push to persuade ‘reconcilable’ Afghan insurgent groups to come to the negotiating table.
Also came under discussion was Pakistan's longstanding demand for taking action against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and its affiliates, which have hideouts inside Afghanistan.
Pakistan and Afghanistan have had a difficult patch in their relationship for the last many years mainly because of differences on how to put an end to the Afghan conflict.
The two sides have often blamed each other for supporting certain militant groups as proxies to further their respective agendas.
But things began to change in recent months after the two sides decided to evolve a new mechanism to address each other’s grievances.
The first sign of the understanding can be judged from the fact that there is a visible change in Afghanistan’s approach.
Unlike the past, Afghan authorities now avoid using public forums to point a finger at Pakistan.
The real challenge, though, is to sustain the momentum and a lot will depend on how the two sides proceed with the Afghan endgame.
The official handout issued by the NSA office, nevertheless, sounded optimistic.
The statement said the two sides held an in-depth exchange of views on matters pertaining to bilateral cooperation as well as the regional security situation.
The focus of discussions was on the timely and effective implementation of the recently-agreed Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).
Gen Janjua reiterated Pakistan’s commitment and unwavering resolve to broaden and further strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Afghanistan in all spheres of mutual interests to include political, diplomatic, military, intelligence, regional connectivity, economic, trade, cultural and people to people.
Both the sides conducted at length discussion and deliberated on all issues and challenges faced by both the countries.
Both the NSAs appreciated the candid, frank and honest discussion with a view to finding plausible solutions for the future. Rising beyond the differences of the past, it was greatly realised that both the sides had the same warmth and affections for each other.
Both sides spoke the same language and same vocabulary and expressed the common hope of a shared future.
The discussion with mutual respect for each other made it very evident that both the countries have every reason to come close and work with each other in a cooperative framework to carve a secure future.
Both sides established that ‘peace’ was their common and biggest need of the hour that can come through firm and sincere implementation of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).
APAPPS has the potential to bridge the gaps of past and also make the bridges for the future.
Both the sides reiterated to work closely on the sincere implementation of APPAPS to seek peace, which is essential for the suffering people of both countries.
Afghanistan NSA Atmar said that Afghanistan has very positive expectations from Pakistan and with mutual help. “We can allay each other’s concerns and apply our energies to bring about enduring peace and stability.”
The COAS said, “Both Pakistan and Afghanistan have suffered heavily due to prolonged conflict and must together explore ways to usher peace in the region by defeating the common enemy.”
He added, “We must begin with the trust that neither covets an inch of the others territory nor is letting its land being used against the other.”
“Suspicions will only fuel negativity and facilitate detractors.”
Pakistan and Afghanistan made ‘significant progress’ towards finding a common ground for the endgame in Afghanistan after high-level talks between the two sides on Sunday, officials said.
Afghan National Security Adviser Haneef Atmar, who was accompanied by Interior Minister Waris Barmak and head of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) Masum Stankzai arrived in the federal capital for a day-long trip to find a common ground on bilateral relationship and the Afghan endgame.
The high-powered Afghan delegation held wide-ranging talks at the Prime Minister office with National Security Adviser Lt-Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua and later at the General Headquarters with Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
“Talks,” officials said, “focuses bilateral ties, border security and the Afghan peace process.”
It was rare that senior Afghan officials travelled together to Pakistan, renewing hopes that the two neighbours may find a solution to their intricate issues -- ranging from border management to dealing with militancy, and from Afghan peace process to regional stability.
Pak-Afghan leaders reiterate need for achieving regional security
The visit of the Afghan delegation comes against the backdrop of an agreement reached between the two countries earlier this month to operationlise the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).
APAPPS provides for a framework to strengthen mutual trust and deepen interaction in all spheres of bilateral engagements. It is also a mechanism for finding solutions to bilateral areas of concern.
Soon after landing in Islamabad, the Afghan delegation went into a session with National Security Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua.
Officials said the talks had made ‘significant progress’ on various issues, especially in identifying "irreconcilable elements”.
PM Abbasi says Afghan visit to prove a milestone
Both sides would work out a mechanism to deal with such elements while at the same time make a renewed push to persuade ‘reconcilable’ Afghan insurgent groups to come to the negotiating table.
Also came under discussion was Pakistan's longstanding demand for taking action against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and its affiliates, which have hideouts inside Afghanistan.
Pakistan and Afghanistan have had a difficult patch in their relationship for the last many years mainly because of differences on how to put an end to the Afghan conflict.
The two sides have often blamed each other for supporting certain militant groups as proxies to further their respective agendas.
But things began to change in recent months after the two sides decided to evolve a new mechanism to address each other’s grievances.
The first sign of the understanding can be judged from the fact that there is a visible change in Afghanistan’s approach.
Unlike the past, Afghan authorities now avoid using public forums to point a finger at Pakistan.
The real challenge, though, is to sustain the momentum and a lot will depend on how the two sides proceed with the Afghan endgame.
The official handout issued by the NSA office, nevertheless, sounded optimistic.
The statement said the two sides held an in-depth exchange of views on matters pertaining to bilateral cooperation as well as the regional security situation.
The focus of discussions was on the timely and effective implementation of the recently-agreed Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).
Gen Janjua reiterated Pakistan’s commitment and unwavering resolve to broaden and further strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Afghanistan in all spheres of mutual interests to include political, diplomatic, military, intelligence, regional connectivity, economic, trade, cultural and people to people.
Both the sides conducted at length discussion and deliberated on all issues and challenges faced by both the countries.
Both the NSAs appreciated the candid, frank and honest discussion with a view to finding plausible solutions for the future. Rising beyond the differences of the past, it was greatly realised that both the sides had the same warmth and affections for each other.
Both sides spoke the same language and same vocabulary and expressed the common hope of a shared future.
The discussion with mutual respect for each other made it very evident that both the countries have every reason to come close and work with each other in a cooperative framework to carve a secure future.
Both sides established that ‘peace’ was their common and biggest need of the hour that can come through firm and sincere implementation of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).
APAPPS has the potential to bridge the gaps of past and also make the bridges for the future.
Both the sides reiterated to work closely on the sincere implementation of APPAPS to seek peace, which is essential for the suffering people of both countries.
Afghanistan NSA Atmar said that Afghanistan has very positive expectations from Pakistan and with mutual help. “We can allay each other’s concerns and apply our energies to bring about enduring peace and stability.”
The COAS said, “Both Pakistan and Afghanistan have suffered heavily due to prolonged conflict and must together explore ways to usher peace in the region by defeating the common enemy.”
He added, “We must begin with the trust that neither covets an inch of the others territory nor is letting its land being used against the other.”
“Suspicions will only fuel negativity and facilitate detractors.”