KARACHI
Afghanistan’s National Security Advisor Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta on Thursday arrived in Islamabad, reported Radio Pakistan.
He is accompanied by a high level delegation including Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Ateequllah Hatafmaal and Afghan Ambassador Janaan Musazai.
Spanta has formerly served as the Afghan foreign minister.
He called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad to discuss bilateral ties and matters of mutual interest.
He is also scheduled to hold delegation level talks with PM’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.
According to Pakistan Foreign Office statement issued before the visit, the talks seek focus on ensuring deeper bilateral security cooperation and deliberating on ways of strengthening regular contact between the security authorities of the two countries.
“Pakistan is committed to building a close, cooperative relationship with Afghanistan, based on mutual understanding and trust. The visit would help advance Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s vision of peace and development in the region,” FO stated.
Spanta’s visit to Islamabad comes amid the military operation in Pakistan’s restive tribal area of North Waziristan, a stronghold of militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and foreign militants.
Pakistan had asked the Afghan government to seal its borders to prevent militants from escaping the neighbouring tribal belt in Pakistan.
According to reports, Afghan President Hamid Karzai telephoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday and expressed his willingness enhance Pak-Afghan security cooperation.
The visit also comes amid allegations by Afghan Defence Minister Bismallah Mohammadi that Pakistan was sending troops in civilian clothes to attack security forces across the border in Afghan province of Kunar.