Pakistan, Afghanistan to establish working group on security

Main focus of talks was on strengthening bilateral security cooperation.

ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to establish a joint working group on security after conducting high-level talks in Islamabad on Thursday, officials said.

The talks were held between the National Security Adviser of Afghanistan Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta and Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz .

The main focus of the talks was said to be on strengthening bilateral security cooperation.

“Both sides agreed on the need to take action against all terrorists without making any distinction among them and their hideouts on their respective sides,” said a joint statement.

The joint working group on security will be co-chaired by the foreign secretary or deputy foreign minister and will also comprise of representatives of relevant security institutions.

The two sides also agreed to hold a meeting of their relevant officials in Islamabad on July 3 to enhance security coordination.


In the talks it was agreed that terrorism is a common enemy and the need for closer cooperation and coordination at an institutional level was emphasised.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to building a comprehensive bilateral relationship marked by enhanced trade and economic partnership.

The Pakistan side reaffirmed its committment providing all-out support to an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

Dr Spanta was accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defence, National Directorate of Security (NDS) and Afghan National Security Council during his visit.

The national security adviser also called Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and delivered President Karzai’s letter. The joint statement did not mention the contents of the letter. However, Karzai had earlier stated that he would suggest a “road-map” for future cooperation.

The prime minister welcomed Karzai’s letter and Dr Spanta’s visit to Pakistan. Dr Spanta also met the Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.
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