Army chief General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday said Pakistan is fully committed to facilitating an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process and made it clear that it has no favourites in the war-torn country.
He made these remarks during a meeting with German Senior Representatives for Afghanistan and Pakistan Dr Michael Koch, who is currently on a visit to Islamabad for discussions on key issues particularly the post-2014 Afghan situation.
According to officials familiar with the meeting, General Raheel briefed the German envoy about Pakistan’s efforts to improve relations with neighbouring Afghanistan following the change of government in Kabul.
Officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the army chief termed the recent visit of Afghan President Dr Ashraf Ghani to Pakistan as successful and hoped that this would enhance the existing bilateral cooperation.
The German envoy and the army chief discussed the prospects of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Sources said General Raheel informed Dr Koch that Pakistan was making all-out efforts to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan.
He also briefed him about the ongoing operation in North Waziristan Agency, where, according to him, Pakistan security forces targeted all militant outfits including the Haqqani Network.
General Raheel told the visiting German envoy that Pakistan is committed to support and facilitate an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said during the meeting, views were exchanged on matters of mutual interest and regional security.
Kuch also held talks with Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on the current regional security situation.
In other engagements, the German envoy met Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and reportedly discussed the current political situation in view of the ongoing protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
An official handout issued by National Assembly secretariat said the speaker said Germany and Pakistan have a tradition of good and amicable relations and appreciated German support for strengthening of democratic institutions and stable development in Pakistan.
The special German envoy, the statement said, told the speaker that his country also attaches immense importance to its relations with Pakistan and wants to further diversify those through active engagement in all sectors.
Apprising about the situation in Afghanistan, the special representative said Germany and international community wants a stable and prosperous Afghanistan that would be beneficial for the region.
He said that Afghan forces have been capacitated to deal with the law and order after the pullout of international peacekeeping forces from Afghanistan.
“International community, however, will continue to remain committed to stability in Afghanistan,” he said, adding that Germany appreciated the positive developments in Pakistan-Afghan relations.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2014.
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