Ghani is undertaking his first visit to Islamabad in three-and-a-half years as part of a renewed push by the two estranged neighbours to open a new chapter in their tense ties.
Ghani is scheduled to begin his two-day visit to Islamabad on June 27 at the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan, diplomatic sources confirmed to The Express Tribune.
The visit is taking place after behind-the-scene efforts by the two sides – particularly by Pakistan – to iron out differences on a number of issues.
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Relations between the two neighbours remained tense for over two years mainly because of trust deficit.
Afghanistan has often held Pakistan responsible for the continued unrest in the country while Islamabad has also its own list of grievances such as Kabul’s lack of action against groups launching cross-border attacks.
The deepening trust deficit has not only undermined efforts at improving bilateral ties, but also hampered diplomatic manoeuvres to seek a political solution to the lingering war in Afghanistan.
The ice apparently melted when Prime Minister Imran spoke to Ghani last month on the telephone, offering him an olive branch to enter a new era of bilateral cooperation.
Imran also extended formal invitation to Ghani. On June 1, the two leaders held talks on the sidelines of the Organiation of Islamic Countries (OIC) in Saudi Arabia, something that eventually paved the way for Ghani’s visit.
Officials familiar with the agenda of the visit said the two sides would review the entire gamut of bilateral relationship with specific focus on finding a common ground on the Afghan endgame.
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Prime Minister Imran, according to officials, is going to give a firm assurance to Ghani about Pakistan’s ‘sincere commitment’, seeking a political solution to the Afghan problem.
The US is currently holding talks with the Afghan Taliban. But negotiations have made little headway regarding inclusion of the Kabul administration in the peace process as well as ceasefire in Afghanistan.
The Taliban have refused both the demands, insisting that such details would be discussed once the US gives a clear withdrawal plan of its troops and other foreign forces.
It is believed that the visit of President Ghani would give a new impetus to fragile peace efforts.
But observers are sceptical whether Ghani’s visit would dramatically change the situation.
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