Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to bury the past, look forward to future

ISLAMABAD: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has described the visit to Kabul by Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa as “a new chapter of cooperation” in bilateral cooperation, the Presidential Palace says. On his part, General Bajwa offered Pakistan’s complete support in “achieving shared interests in war against terrorism” including training and capacity building of Afghan Security Forces, the army said. General Bajwa led a high level delegation in talks with President Ghani in his first visit to Kabul on Sunday since he assumed office in November last year. “President Ghani called the visit of the Pakistani delegation a new chapter for cooperation between the two countries and described it as significant for the new opportunities of cooperation,” a statement from the Afghan President’s Office said late Sunday. “The Pakistani side promised that it is ready for all kind of cooperation to fight against terrorism, which is a common threat and announced support for the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace mechanism,” the palace said. The Afghan president insisted that a joint working team should take measures in different sectors and called for a mechanism to monitor and implement pledges in a specified timing. “The Pakistani side committed that the joint teams will work for the implementation of plans,” the statement said. President Ghani referred to the current “suitable environment” and pushed for practical steps to restore trust between the two sides. “Stability of Afghanistan and Pakistan is in the interest of both countries and the region which can rescue people in both countries from poverty,” Ghani said. “Both sides stressed that we should not be held hostage of the past and there is a dire need both should look towards future and work for a prosperous future,” the statement said. The Inter Services Public Relations also issued a statement early Monday stating that Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed on a framework for working towards peaceable environment conducive to political process essential for an enduring Afghan peace and regional stability. “There was also a consensus on regular and focused dialogue at multiple levels to evolve bilateral process for minimising misunderstanding, managing crisis situations and enhancing cooperation in order to bring peace and stability in the region,” the army statement said. The ISPR’s statement quoted the Afghan president as saying Afghanistan and Pakistan were friendly countries and together both would move towards enduring peace and stability. “Issues related to long-term peace, cooperation against the shared threats, coordination between respective counter-terrorism campaigns to restrict space for non-state actors, intelligence sharing, trade and commerce, and people-to-people contacts were discussed.” The army chief offered Pakistan’s complete support in achieving shared interests in war against terrorism, including training and capacity building of Afghan Security Forces,” the army said. Besides the delegation level talks, General Bajwa and the Afghan also held one-on-one meeting at Presidential Palace. Issues of common interest came under discussion and both sides reviewed the prevailing security environment in the region in general and the state of bilateral relationship in particular. Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Omar Zakhilwal, who was part of the presidential team in the meeting, seemed upbeat about the outcome. Zakhilwal, who is also presidential special representative for Pakistan, described the meeting as “candid, positive, respectful, constructive and encouraging in a long time,” on his official Twitter account. “I’m proud to have played a facilitating role in all this,” the Afghan envoy said. Office of the Chief Executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah also welcomed General Bajwa’s visit and said Kabul and Islamabad would resume bilateral talks. Jawed Faisal, a deputy spokesman for Dr Abdullah, said that the Pakistani army chief had assured Afghanistan of his support. “Pakistan itself reached out to us; we are also willing to have close relationships with neighboring countries,” Tolo TV quoted Faisal as saying. Meanwhile, Ministry of Defense Spokesman Dawlat Waziri said: “Regarding this issue, teams have been formed on how to create the environment of trust between the two countries, but the important thing is that friendship with Pakistan is not only in our own interests, but also in the interests of Pakistan.” Afghan second vice president, first deputy chief executive officer, second deputy chief executive officer, the National Security adviser, the NDS Chief, Defence minister, the interior minister, Afghan ambassador to Pakistan and the Afghan army chief attended the meeting. Gem Bajwa was accompanied by the foreign secretary, DG ISI, Pakistan ambassador at Kabul and the staff of the army chief, including the ISPR DG.   Published in Daily Times, October 3rd 2017.