PHOTO: PM HOUSE
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani vowed on Tuesday to eliminate the common threat of terrorism from both countries and build a safe environment for its people.
The two leaders addressed a joint press conference following a high-level meeting in Kabul, attended by army chief General Raheel Sharif and the director-general of Inter-Services Intelligence.
During the presser, President Ghani said there was no bad or good terrorist. “Terrorism is terrorism and it is the enemy of Pakistan and Afghanistan and their people”.
He went on to say, in Pashto and Dari, “Our discussions with Pakistani leaders focus on common threats and common interests.
“If a child is killed in Peshawar or in Afghanistan, both are same. We want such an environment when a child in Pakistan and Afghanistan go out and return home safe,” he said.
Director-general ISPR General Asim Bajwa, in a series of tweets, quoting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan would be guided by three principles: to strictly adhere to the policy of non-interference; to not allow territories to be used against each other and to treat Afghanistan's enemy as Pakistan's enemy and vice versa.
Cont...Afgn's enemy will be treated as Pak's enemy&Pak's enemies will be treated as Afn's enemies-3
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) May 12, 2015
Kbl:Our relations 'll b guided by 3 principles;a.Strictly adhere 2 policy of non interference.b.wont allow r territories 2 b used vs other-2
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) May 12, 2015
The premier along with army chief General Raheel, arrived in Afghanistan on Tuesday for an official one-day tour following an invitation from Ghani, where a high-level meeting was held.
Sources revealed that Ghani told PM Nawaz that his government would defend Afghanistan against what he termed as an imposed war.
"It's a war imposed on Afghanistan and we will defend our country and its people," the Presidential Palace quoted Ghani as saying in the meeting.
"Our discussion with Pakistan is about common threats. Our forces are fighting this war for the stability of the region," he added.
Further, Ghani stressed that Afghanistan and Pakistan's interests lie in the same areas.
“Our discussions with Pakistani leaders focus on common threats and common interests," he said.
Ghani said that people in both countries want peace and stability. He said that it is the only “solution” to the development of both countries.
A statement released by the Presidential Palace said that both sides discussed security issues and explored ways to enhance economic cooperation.
The statement further revealed that "Pakistan promised to complete its development projects which have not yet been completed.
This was reiterated further by DG ISPR Asim Bajwa.
Kabul:#COAS directed FWO to start construction of Torkham- Jalalabad Dual Carriage way(a long suspended Proj)Work to commence within a week
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) May 12, 2015
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif confirmed that Afghanistan's enemies were Pakistan's enemies, according to Express News.
Arriving in Kabul Tuesday morning, the premier and his high-level delegation were received by Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani and Afghan Finance Minister Eklil Hakimi.
PHOTO: PM HOUSE
The premier was also presented with the Guard of Honour, sources revealed.
He has now arrived back in Islamabad following his meetings in Kabul.
PHOTO: PM HOUSE
On Monday, top civil and military leaders went into a huddle at the PM House to finalise the agenda for the Kabul trip. Sources said the participants discussed three key issues to be taken up with Afghan authorities.
Read: PM House huddle sets Kabul trip agenda
Firstly, the delegation will get updates on the status of peace negotiations between the Ghani administration and the Taliban in Qatar, and the way forward.
PHOTO: PM HOUSE
Secondly, the Pakistani officials will raise the issue of Indian intelligence agency RAW’s involvement in Pakistani affairs. Last week, top military commanders had expressed serious concerns over RAW’s involvement in ‘whipping up terrorism’ in the country.
Sources said that according to Pakistan, RAW has established many ‘centres’ in Afghanistan near the Balochistan border where it trains, facilitates and bankrolls Baloch insurgents to carry out anti-state activities in the troubled province.
PHOTO: PM HOUSE
Thirdly, the delegation will discuss the presence of Pakistani Taliban’s leadership in Afghanistan, sources added. “It will also update Afghan officials on Operation Zarb-e-Azb and the ‘across the border problems’ coming in the way of the offensive.”
Read: Refugee registration: Afghan team in Pakistan for talks
Meetings are to be held between the Ghani and the Chief Executive of Afghanistan, Abdullah Abdullah, and the premier.
Both countries are keen on building close cooperative relations with Afghanistan and this is said to be a vital component of the PM's vision of a peaceful neighbourhood.
PHOTO: PM HOUSE
The visit is said to further strengthen bilateral relations and help intensify common endeavors in pursuit of durable peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
PHOTO: PM HOUSE
Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Asim Bajwa took to Twitter to announce the departure of the high level delegation.
PM&COAS leave 4 Kabul with civ-mil delegation.An unprecedented delegation filled with optimism 4 common peace&development with our brothers
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) May 12, 2015
COMMENTS (24)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ