Ghani urges Pakistan to use same definition of terrorism for Afghanistan as it does domestically

Afghan President says they want to hold peace talks with Taliban without the involvement of a foreign country

ISLAMABAD: On a day when a car bomb killed 12 people in Kabul, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani reiterated his call on Pakistan to adopt the “same definition” for terrorism for attacks in Afghanistan as it does for attacks across the Durand Line.

“Pakistan should have an understanding of the situation in Afghanistan and use the same definition of terrorism with regards to Afghanistan as it does domestically,” Ghani said in a meeting with outgoing Swedish Ambassador to Afghanistan Peter Semneby.

In a statement released from the Afghan Presidential Palace, Ghani added that the region and the world are in agreement with Afghanistan on the fight against terrorism, especially on the links between terrorism and criminal economy.

President Ghani, while touching on the recent developments within the country, said that peace talks (with Taliban) would proceed within an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led process.

Talks with the Taliban had stalled after it emerged that the group’s obscure supremo Mullah Omar had died two years ago. The news caused ripples, especially within the Taliban who faced a split over electing a new leader. Pakistan said there had been progress in the first ever talks between the representatives of the Afghan government and the militants in Murree on July 7.

However, the Afghan government now says it wants to lead the reconciliation process without the involvement of any other country. But the Taliban have ruled out direct talks with the Kabul.

“We are in a sensitive situation, but we move on the right direction and that we have the people of Afghanistan with us,” Ghani told the Swedish ambassador.

Pakistan condemns Kabul attack

Pakistan condemned the suicide attack that took place near a hospital in Kabul on Saturday.

“We standby with our brotherly people of Afghanistan in this moment of grief and convey our deepest condolences to the bereaved families. We pray to Almighty Allah to grant them patience and forbearance in this hour of difficulty and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured,” a statement read.

It said that the attack targeting civilians reflected the cowardice of terrorists. “It strengthens our resolve to continue our struggle of countering terrorism in all of its forms. We reiterate our resolve to closely coordinate with the Government of Afghanistan in this fight against our common enemy.”