Afghanistan, Pakistan facing time-consuming challenges: President Ghani

Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Aftab Sherpao and Afrasiab Khattak are visiting Kabul to discuss anti-terrorism cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday told senior Pakistani political leaders that the two countries face time-consuming challenges but vowed to overcome all problems with joint efforts.

The political leaders are visiting Kabul on Ghani’s invitation for a discussion on joint efforts to strengthen anti-terror cooperation and boost people-to-people contacts.

The Afghan president received the delegation comprised of Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao and Senator Afrasiab Khattak.

“During separate meetings held in Arg (Presidential Palace), the issues of enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries, improving security situation, joint efforts on fighting terrorism, and addressing the problems of Afghan migrants in Pakistan were discussed between the two sides,” Ghani’s office said.

“In return, President Ghani said that the government of Afghanistan will continue with joint efforts and consultations, and would exert its utmost efforts to strengthen people-to-people contacts at all levels between the two countries,” a statement read.

“To overcome the challenges that we face is time consuming with many obstacles ahead, however, the new government of Afghanistan is committed to removing the problems,” the statement added.

Further, according to the statement, the Pakistani delegation expressed that Afghanistan and Pakistan are facing common problems which require joint efforts.

The delegation further urged that the two countries should not miss emerging new opportunities for enhancing relations.

The political leaders also stated that the perspective on the fight against terrorism has changed on the other side of the Durand Line.

“People in Pakistan have now realised that there is no difference between good and bad terrorists. Terrorism is not only a threat to the two countries but to the region and the entire world as well,” the Pakistani delegation said in a statement.

The meetings were also attended by former Afghan president Hamid Karzai, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, National Security Adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar and Afghan lawmakers.

During his visit to Pakistan in November, Ghani had extended invitations to Pakistani leaders and during the first phase of interaction three Pashtoon leaders visited Kabul. More political leaders are likely to travel to Kabul later, a senior politician said.