Trilateral meeting: Pakistan, Afghan, ISAF chiefs discuss border cooperation

Commanders discussed matters relating to coordination on Pak-Afghan border, protocols to improve border control.

RAWALPINDI: The top military commanders of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan decided on Saturday to continue the process of bringing peace in Afghanistan as a new government takes office in Islamabad.

The trilateral meeting in Rawalpindi on was attended by ISAF commander General Joseph F Dunford, CGS ANA General Sher Mohammad Karimi and Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

Per the official Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) release, the trilateral meeting discussed matters relating to coordination on the Pak-Afghan border and protocols put in place to improve border control.

Official sources told The Express Tribune that “the important thing regarding the trilateral meeting is attendance of the Chief of General Staff Afghan National Army General Sher Mohammad Kirimi who had earlier refused to attend the last trilateral meeting held in Rawalpindi on April 1 despite an invitation.”

The sparred relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s civil and military quarters that has prevailed for a number of months due to border skirmishes and negotiation matters with Taliban came to an end when Afghan President Hamid Karzai officially felicitated and invited newly-elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to visit Afghanistan after a smooth transition of democratic government in Pakistan earlier this week.

Karzai was also the first head of any foreign state who invited Nawaz Sharif to visit the country. Sources indicate that Nawaz may embark on his maiden foreign trip this month with Afghanistan placed on the travel itinerary.