• Pakistani delegation discussed terrorism threat with Afghan government
• They discussed matters related to threats from TTP, ISKP
• Both sides agreed to effectively address the threat of terrorism

ISLAMABAD: A high-level Pakistani delegation visited Kabul on Wednesday and discussed matters with the Afghan government relating to the growing threat of terrorism in the region.

The delegation led by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif met senior leadership of the Interim Afghan government including Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Defence Minister Maulvi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

The Foreign Office said said matters relating to the growing threat of terrorism in the region, particularly by Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) and Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP) came under discussion.

During the interaction, both sides agreed to collaborate to effectively address the threat of terrorism posed by various entities and organizations, a Foreign Office said in a statement.

Both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields to further enhance the fraternal relations between the two countries.

Meeting with Afghan deputy PM

Earlier, the delegation led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif met with the acting deputy prime minister of Afghanistan Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.

The delegation includes Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq, Foreign Secretary Asad Majeed Khan, and Kabul mission head Ubaid-urRehman Nizamani.

In a separate statement, the Afghan Council of Ministers said the two sides discussed economic cooperation, regional connectivity, trade, and bilateral relations.

“Pakistan and Afghanistan are neighbours and should have cordial relations. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants expansion of commercial and economic relations with Pakistan as such relations are in the interest of both countries,” the statement quoted Mullah Baradar as saying.

The Afghan leader also asked the officials to release Afghans being detained in detention facilities in Pakistan. Baradar further added that passengers at Torkham and Spin Boldak should be well-facilitated, with special consideration being given to emergency patients.

The statement added that Pakistani delegation assured Afghanistan of the aforementioned issues and added that the concerned ministries and appointed committees would soon work.

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