Pakistan

High-level meeting ends: PM, Afghan president vow to eliminate common threat of terrorism

Pakistan and Afghanistan will not not allow territories to be used against each other, says PM Nawaz

Tahir Khan/abdul Manan May 12, 2015

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)

Shams | 9 years ago | Reply @Shopaholic: The second in command to Baitullah Masood was handed over to you, Fazlullash hideouts in Kunar was bombed and cleaned, the alleged perpetrators of Peshawar school were handed over to your government, what other good gestures you want, what is your response, visiting Kabul. come on be realistic

Ray | 9 years ago | Reply For all his faults Indian PM is friend of the business people he should go out of his way and be friends with all the neighbors including Pakistan and China. If all the infrastructure projects in Pakistan succeed it will be good for movement from Burma to Kashghar. I hope we had one genuine indian leader who understood this simple concept then all the countries in the region would progress. We have no other choice but get along because India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China more then half of the world population...feeding this many young mouths would be a challenge for the whole region.

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K | 9 years ago | Reply I can see crying Indians.

JSM | 9 years ago | Reply @khalidmurad1: We have nothing against Hindus. We love Hindus. Big Joke- another one.

Shopaholic | 9 years ago | Reply @Amin Zamani While there were good gestures from Pakistan's side (to you it might be few, to us we have suffered a lot by sustaining you for three decades) there has not been a single nice gesture from Afghan side. If the good gestures are so rare from our side I wonder whats stopping the Afghan ppl from leaving Pakistan?

Raj - USA | 9 years ago | Reply @R.Subramanian: Keep your friends close; and your enemies closer !!!!!!!!!!

khalidmurad1 | 9 years ago | Reply Till Indian Hindus are not cleaned out of Afghanistan and border areas of Afghan - Pakistan Baluchistan borders, there can't be piece in the region. These Hindus will keep creating fuss as they did in East Pakistan. "Mukti Bahini" type filth will keep spoiling the region and the would blame Afghans for the dirt and the blame game would start between Afghans and Pakistanis.

Amin Zamani. | 9 years ago | Reply @Pakistan: The problem is that good gestures are very very rarer and snubs happen on daily basis. That is the reason for our cynicism re: Pakistan. Who in their right mind would not want to have good relationship. But don't expect Afghans not to be wary.

US CENTCOM | 9 years ago | Reply We have always emphasized the importance of shared cooperation between the regional partners. It is a great sign to see the leaders from both nations meeting to improve their relationship and negate the common threat of terrorism through better cooperation and coordination. It is no secret that the common enemies of both nations have been able to conduct their terrorist activities on both sides of the border. At the end of the day, we cannot have a safe and secure region without a safe and secure Afghanistan and Pakistan. We restate what Gen. John Campbell, commander of the Nato Resolute Support Mission, said recently: "The common threat of violent extremism may serve as a catalyst for improved cooperation between the two countries, and we have already seen progress in the Afghanistan-Pakistan military-to-military relationship. The US continues to encourage actively and enable the Afghan and Pakistani officers to meet and coordinate their security efforts. Recent consultations between Afghan and Pakistani corps commanders showed great promise. However, it will take considerable time and effort to convince the Afghan and Pakistani people to support this new spirit of accommodation. Afghan and Pakistani political and military relations are likely to improve incrementally and on a transactional basis.” Ali Khan Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM

oBSERVER | 9 years ago | Reply Was the statement of Afghan President given during his visit to Bharat was discussed? If not then what was this visit about?

Khattak | 9 years ago | Reply “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. The message is clear. Both the countries are in state of hostilities since last 50 years. Sinking together is the only option by the look of it.

Pity | 9 years ago | Reply @Adam: Well said. It is hard for Indians to understand that the political and the military leadership are on the same page when it comes to eliminating terrorism from Pakistan.

Pakistan | 9 years ago | Reply @Afghanistan: An Afghan is always quick enough to pay back a snub. When it comes to repaying a good gesture, the characteristic Afghan response is: ' What gesture?' Please don't slam my door on your way out, hopefully in 2016.

Adam | 9 years ago | Reply @R.Subramanian: Because if the PM were to head out alone, Indians would've commented on the visit's futility sans the army chief. But then the Indians trolling here don't come here to be convinced. Keep it up, sir.

Brain-eating amoeba | 9 years ago | Reply Good luck to both countries.

Ashfaq11 | 9 years ago | Reply @Basit: your comments are incoherent and confusing. Nawaz Sharif as the PM is visiting Afghanistan alongside his army chief as the agenda is mainly security and negotiations with Taliban. It is also important to note that army in Pakistan still holds significant sway over foreign and security policy. You should also note that model town incident concerns shahbaz sharif who is the chief minister of Punjab and hence has accountability for any law and order in the province.

Afghanistan | 9 years ago | Reply @Asad@NYC: it is because your prime minister didn't receive ashraf ghani in the airport while he came to your country.

Qazi | 9 years ago | Reply they should have told everything to the people before going and they must tell whatever they discussed

Haider | 9 years ago | Reply @R.Subrimanium Currently an army operation going on so Army Chief needs to go...

Basit | 9 years ago | Reply this happens only in Pakistan where Army Chief and PM goes to visit when other leaders of the countries have some respect. This shows lack of sincerity and hidden matters protecting Nawaz Sharif when everybody knows that Nawaz is a real culprit involve in money laundering corruption and model town when he took the life of innocents why Army chief is giving him so much following instead he must take notice of model town which comes under state terrorism. Visiting Afghanistan is just like making fun of Pakistan.

Ali | 9 years ago | Reply @R.Subramanian, the reason is obvious bro because our country is going thru unusual circumstances.

Asad@NYC | 9 years ago | Reply Why Ashraf Ghani or Abudullah Abdullah are not at the airport?

R.Subramanian | 9 years ago | Reply I guess in the entire world only in Pakistan we can see both civilian and army chief used to visit foreign countries together.

ny | 9 years ago | Reply InshaAllah peace will be restored soon and the trouble making foreign proxies will be flushed out.

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