ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and Afghanistan are engaging with each other to mend their ‘fragile’ relationship in the wake of an attack outside the Afghan parliament building and minor border skirmishes involving troops from both sides.
The two countries are reportedly accelerating their efforts to encourage peace and reconciliation before these incidents cause deeper scars, a senior Pakistani official commented.
The official told a private media outlet in Pakistan that all channels of communication have been activated between the two neighbours to ensure relations remain stable.
In this regard, a high-level meeting is expected between the two countries in the coming days.
The meeting could take place in Russia later this week when the leaderships of the two countries would be there to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
We have always emphasized the importance of shared cooperation between the regional partners. At the end of the day – the blame game would only clear the path for Afghanistan’s and Pakistan’s common enemies to carry their terrorist agenda forward. You cannot have a safe and secure region without a safe and secure Afghanistan and Pakistan. Therefore, it only makes sense for Afghanistan and Pakistan to combine their strength against those who pose a risk to the safety of both nations. It is also our desire to see peace prevail throughout the region and watch Afghanistan and Pakistan build on our shared sacrifices against terrorism.
We restate what Gen. John Campbell, Commander of the Resolute Support and United States Forces-Afghanistan, said not long ago:
"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
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