Pakistan, Afghanistan face common enemy: Karzai

President Karzai spoke to Nawaz Sharif ahead of his visit to Pakistan.


Tahir Khan August 10, 2013
Afghan President Hamid Karzai. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has told Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan faced a common enemy and are burning in the flames of terrorism, Afghan officials said on Saturday.

President Karzai spoke to Nawaz Sharif ahead of his visit to Pakistan for talks on counter-terrorism and to push for reconciliation with the Taliban.

The visit has been agreed to on by both sides, who are working on mutually feasible dates through diplomatic channels.

“Terrorists and the enemies of Pakistan and Afghanistan did not show respect to the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Fitr,” Karzai said, referring to the attacks in Quetta and the eastern Afghan city Jalalabad while talking to the Prime Minister by the phone, the Afghan presidential palace said.

“Terrorists targeted even women and children during the sacred days and many families are now mourning the deaths of their relatives,” Karzai said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif agreed with President Karzai’s assertions that both neighbouring countries were facing a similar enemy.

“Cooperation and efforts by the two countries and their people is the only way to defeat and eliminate the enemy,” the Afghan Presidential statement quoted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as saying.

Both leaders agreed to cooperate to fight the common enemy and will back each other in these efforts, said the Pashto-langue statement received on Saturday.

President Karzai also greeted the prime minister on Eid-ul-Fitr.

COMMENTS (42)

Sexton Blaket | 10 years ago | Reply

@US Centcom: Dear Centcom, To my knowledge nobody invited you into the Western side of the Sub-Cobtinent so who are the real terrorists? Also, how may people have you killed during Ramadan?

US Centcom | 10 years ago | Reply

We cannot over emphasize the importance of shared cooperation between the regional partners. We are fighting the same terrorists and suffering at the hands of the same terrorists. The seriousness of the situation requires us to work together against our common enemies. Our common enemies are not wasting any time in countering our peace efforts in the region. They continue to claim innocent lives in their bid to destabilize the region. They did not show any respect for the holy month of Ramadan and even continued their terrorist activities’ during the Eid-ul-Fitr Celebrations. It is important to note that these attacks were conducted on both sides of the border. So, does it make sense to indulge in the blame game when we are making common sacrifices? It only makes sense for us to create a healthy partnership and combine our strength against those who pose a threat to the safety of our nations.

Ali Khan

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