RAWALPINDI – Afghan Ambassador Dr Omar Zakhilwal met Chief of the ArmyStaff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters amidst escalatingviolence in Afghanistan.

Relations between the two countries had till recently been on a positivetrajectory.

The two neighbours also signed a new bilateral ties’ framework — called theAfghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) — underwhich they agreed to discuss political and diplomatic issues and matterspertaining to economy and trade, refugee repatriation, military andintelligence cooperation.

“This afternoon called on Pak Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa discussingregular as well as some important current issues including need for fullcooperation as per APAPPS and other bilateral commitments which in turnhelp with our peace efforts and reduction of violence,” AmbassadorZakhilwal tweeted after his meeting.

Mr Zakhilwal, a diplomatic source claimed, carried an important messagefrom the Afghan government. The ambassador was in Kabul till yesterday.

Kabul seeks full support from Pakistan in deteriorating condition inAfghanistan.

Ambassador Zakhilwal had in a conference hosted by the Jinnah Institutelast month sounded very positive about APAPPS and said that irritants andacrimony in Pak-Afghan relations had reduced and better cooperation betweenthe two sides was being observed.