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Afghan President offers cooperation for anti-terror operation

Afghan president given briefing on border security situation

Islamabad: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday assured Pakistan that Afghanistan will extend all possible cooperation to jointly curb the menace of terrorism.

During a high-level briefing given to him on the security situation along the Pak-Afghan border by the Pakistani military and national security teams at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Ghani lauded Pakistan’s efforts to fight terrorism and hailed sacrifices rendered by the nation.

“Afghanistan wants to bolster security and defence ties with Pakistan including cooperation in training and border management,” Ghani remarked.

Ghani praised Pakistan army’s efforts to fight terrorism and expressed his desire to bolster security and defence ties with Islamabad, including cooperation in training and border management.

Those present during the briefing included Adviser to the PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif and Director General Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhtar and other senior military officials.

Besides senior ministers, Ghani was accompanied by Defence Minister Gen Bismillah Muhammadi, Afghan Chief of General Staff Gen Sher Mohammed Karimi and senior Afghan security officials.

The Afghan president earlier received a warm reception as he flew here on Friday morning on a two- day official visit.

The Afghan president’s office in Kabul meanwhile said the two countries had agreed to double bilateral trade, currently worth an annual $2.5 billion, within two years. It did not mention security issues.

Meanwhile, state-run Radio Pakistan said that Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to promote bilateral cooperation in economic and trade relations for the benefit of the two countries.

An agreement came during a meeting between Ghani and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, Aziz said Pakistan accords great significance to its relations with Afghanistan. He offered cooperation to Afghanistan in various sectors.

Ghani is scheduled to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday.

Nawaz and Ghani are also expected to watch a cricket match between the two countries.

Pakistan is one of the first countries President Ghani, who was sworn in in September, has chosen to visit. He earlier visited Saudi Arabia and China.

news@khaleejtimes.com

(With input from agencies)