Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz on Thursday assured an Afghan delegation led by Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani that Pakistan will continue to extend complete cooperation to Kabul in combating terrorism.
Aziz also assured the Afghan officials that Pakistan would share with Afghanistan if it found any evidence linking the country with the recent wave of attacks in Kabul. The visiting delegation was also informed that Pakistan’s security forces are conducting an internal enquiry to investigate recent Afghan allegations of Pakistan’s implicit involvement in Kabul attacks. But Pakistan emphasised that allegations on Islamabad of sponsoring or abetting attacks on Kabul were “regretful.”
The Afghan delegation also included Masoom Stanekzai, Acting Defence Minister and Rahmatullah Nabil, Director General of Afghan National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan’s premier spy agency.
The two sides had a candid discussion regarding bilateral relations and discussed matters related to security cooperation and peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.
Sartaj Aziz also conveyed Pakistan’s conviction for building a constructive and forward-looking relationship with Afghanistan, and said Pakistan was ready to work with Afghanistan in overcoming all challenges.
“Pakistan and Afghanistan should have trust and faith in each other and discourage detractors who have been trying to create mistrust between the two brotherly countries,” said Sartaj Aziz on the occasion.
Aziz also condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and expressed his condolence on the occasion for the innocent lives lost.
“We condemn the terrorists attacks in Afghanistan. We need to make joint efforts to meet common challenges faced by both countries and work together towards rooting out terrorism from the region,” Aziz elaborated.
“Pakistan stands in solidarity with the fraternal people of Afghanistan and would continue to extend all possible support in their quest for peace and stability in Afghanistan, including through facilitating an Afghan-led and Afghan owned peace and reconciliation process,” the adviser added.
The Afghan envoy also reaffirmed Afghanistan’s desire to work closely with Pakistan to enhance mutual cooperation in all areas of common interest.
“We agree that we need to work together towards the common endeavours of countering terrorism and for enduring peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region,” said Rabbani.
Salahuddin Rabbani also called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the PM House where matters related to bilateral relations and areas of mutual interests were discussed.
According to sources, the Afghan FM raised the issue of cross border attacks by Taliban and other militants leading to loss of lives of Afghan security personnel.
He requested Prime Minister Sharif to ensure that the militants do not cross the border and stern action be taken against those hiding in Pakistan.
The PM assured that Pakistan stands for the security, peace and stability of Afghanistan and was extending all the assistance for this purpose. He condemned the terrorists attacks inside Afghanistan.
