ISLAMABAD – Afghanistan has once again pointed a finger at Pakistan forbeing behind the recent upsurge in terrorist attacks. Afghan media evenclaimed that President Ghani refused to take a condolence call from thePakistan’s prime minister as protest.
Afghan Ambassador Dr Omar Zakhilwal, nevertheless, dismissed the mediareports and said Ghani sent the high-powered delegation to deliver amessage to Prime Minister Abbasi.
Ahead of the visit, Pakistan on Tuesday disclosed that it had handed over27 suspected members of the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network toAfghanistan in November last year.
The timing of the release of this information was seen as significant andwas apparently aimed at sending a message that Pakistan was not behind theinsurgency in Afghanistan.
However, the Afghan ambassador expressed his surprise and said he was notaware of any transfer.
“This certainly is news to me! It would be a huge step forward in ourimportant bilateral relations if this indeed happens,” Zakhilwal said in atweet.
There was no immediate reaction from Pakistan to the Afghan envoy’sapparent denial of extradition of 27 individuals linked to Afghan Talibanand Haqqani Network.
Meanwhile, a high-level Pakistani delegation comprising the foreignsecretary and senior military and intelligence officials is expected totravel to Kabul at the weekend to discuss the thorny issues between the twocountries.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been tense for months witheach side accusing the other for lack of action against certain militantoutfits on their respective soils.