- Pakistani PM assures Ghani of support for Afghan reconciliation process
- Ghani stresses closer cooperation between two brotherly countries
Addressing a joint news conference with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul on Tuesday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the surge in attacks by the Afghan Taliban under their Operation Azm offensive, terming them “acts of terrorism”.
“Any effort by any militant or group to destabilise Afghanistan will be dealt with severely and such elements will be outlawed and hunted down. All sanctuaries, when found, will be eliminated by direct action, and will be monitored by the existing mechanism. In case of terrorist activity, both Pakistan and Afghanistan retain the right of counter actions in conjunction,” PM Sharif said, announcing that both sides have agreed that peace and stability in the region will remain elusive until the menace of terrorism afflicting the region is comprehensively addressed.
The prime minister expressed confidence that Pakistan and Afghanistan would succeed in rooting out terrorism through their firm determination and by adopting a comprehensive and coordinated strategy. He added that Pakistan had the “highest stake” in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.
“We stand in strong solidarity with Afghanistan. I assure you that the enemies of Afghanistan cannot be friends of Pakistan. We both recognise that an enduring peace in Afghanistan will be a distant dream without an inclusive intra-Afghan reconciliation,” the premier said, assuring Pakistan’s support for an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process.
ON WORKING TOGETHER:
The prime minister was on a day-long visit to Afghanistan, accompanied by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry.
On the occasion, the premier reiterated an offer for the capacity building of the Afghan police, including training. He said both sides discussed ways to realise the full potential of their “well endowed reservoir of human and material resources” and said these measures included expanding trade, increasing investments, improving infrastructure, building road and rail links, and enhancing energy collaboration.
He also stressed the need for fast-track progress on trans-regional energy projects to advance the goal of greater regional integration.
“I underlined Pakistan’s resolve to further deepen our defence and security partnership with Afghanistan, including through enhanced cooperation along the border and human resource development,” he said.
The prime minister said that as co-chair of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process in 2015, Pakistan would steer the process in line with the Afghan priorities and aspirations.
“There are no other two countries that have so much in common. We are friends. We are brothers. We have stood shoulder to shoulder through every trial and tribulation. It is always a pleasure to be in Afghanistan and among my Afghan brethren. Coming to Afghanistan is like coming to my second home,” PM Sharif said, concluding by raising the slogan of “Pak-Afghan Dosti Paindabaad.”
Addressing on the occasion, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani stressed closer cooperation between the two brotherly countries which had commonly suffered due to terrorism.
The spectre of terrorism had targeted children in Peshawar as well as Afghanistan, and both countries had to confront it jointly, he said, adding that enemies of Pakistan were the enemies of Afghanistan.
Ghani pointed out that there were no “good or bad terrorist” and acknowledged the international community for understanding Afghanistan’s right to work towards attaining peace. He also said, “Afghanistan and Pakistan are both located in key areas in the central Asian region.”
Earlier, PM Sharif also held talks with Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah in Kabul. They discussed different aspects of bilateral relations and regional situation. Delegation level talks were also held between Pakistan and Afghanistan at the Presidential Palace in Kabul.
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.
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Ali Khan
Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM
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