Ties with Kabul: Seize the opportunity, Olson asks Islamabad

Ambassador says he knows Pakistan wants to strengthen ties with Afghanistan as more is to be done on security, trade

ISLAMABAD:

US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson has urged Islamabad and Kabul to put aside differences of the past for a better future.

Speaking at a conference at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) on Wednesday, he called on both countries to seize the opportunity presented by their young societies. He said there was a genuine basis for a new relationship between both countries following the election of democratic governments.

“Afghanistan lies at the centre of a region that includes half of the world’s population. An increasingly stable Afghanistan that enjoys productive relations with its neighbours will be a counter-weight against extremism,” Olson added.



The envoy praised confidence building measures by both countries, including Pakistan Army’s Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan. He termed Prime Minister’s Adviser Sartaj Aziz’s visit to Kabul last month an important first step as well.

“From my conversations with Pakistan’s leaders, whether civilian or military, I know that Pakistan wants to strengthen its relationships with Afghanistan as there is more to be done together on security, trade, etc,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2014.