RAWALPINDI: Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at GHQ on Friday.
COAS strongly condemned recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, including an attack on Afghan National Army Base in Kandahar. He expressed his sympathies with the bereaved families.
COAS said that both countries have suffered a lot from terrorism, and such attacks shall not deter our resolve and commitments for peace in the region.
Earlier in the day, Zakhilwal called on National Security Adviser Lt General (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua to exchange views on bilateral relations and ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region.
NSA received the ambassador with great warmth and cordiality.
Reflecting on the latest developments in Pak-Afghan relations, both expressed their satisfaction over the recent improvement in bilateral relations in the backdrop of General Bajwa’s visit to Kabul. They stressed the importance of seizing this opportunity to take this relationship forward in the positive direction.
NSA shared with the ambassador his vision of a shared and prosperous future with Afghanistan. He underlined that the great promise of trade and connectivity in the region cannot be realised in the absence of peace and stability in Afghanistan and a friendly and cooperative relationship between the two neighbours.
Zakhilwal reciprocated the warmth and feelings of the NSA for Afghanistan and its people. He welcomed the increasing confidence in Pak-Afghan relations, particularly the positive momentum generated after General Bajwa’s visit. The envoy fully agreed to seize this moment collectively and reiterated the desire to build on present positivity to turn Pak-Afghan relations for better in the interest of peace, stability and development.
After very constructive and cordial discussion, both sides agreed to keep the positive momentum and to overcome all problems and irritants through better understanding and regular contacts at all levels.
Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador Takashi Kurai also called on Nasser Janjua. Matters of mutual interest, ways to enhance bilateral relations, and security situation of the region came under discussion.
The envoy congratulated the adviser on the successful operation conducted by Pak-Army to rescue the US-Canadian couple, and appreciated the professional capabilities of Pak-Army.
He expressed condolences on the loss of human lives during various attacks in recent days. He also conveyed felicitations to Pakistan for winning a seat in United Nations Human Right Council, saying that it is an endorsement of Pakistan’s strong commitment to human rights. He briefed the NSA about the security situation and rising tension in the Korean peninsula.
NSA warmly welcomed the guest and said that Pakistan attached a great importance to relations with Japan and it is always heart-warming to interact with Japanese guests.
The adviser said that Pakistan fully shared Japanese concerns over the rising tension in the Korean Peninsula and assured the ambassador that the country fully supported UN sanction regime regarding North Korea.
“We stand with you and we have every moral, political, diplomatic and economic reason to belong to Japan,” he added.
The ambassador expressed great satisfaction over the existing relationship and expressed his desire to further build on cooperation with Pakistan, and to enhance joint understanding on issues of mutual concern.