*ISLAMABAD: *Islamabad and Kabul have agreed to work collectively and tomaintain their contacts in pursuit of the “common objective”.
This agreement was reached during a meeting between National SecurityAdviser Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua and Afghan Ambassador OmarZakhilwal on Tuesday.
The NSA office said the two sides exchanged views on the bilateralrelations and the ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region.
Janjau had recently visited Kabul and held wide ranging talks with Afghanleadership, including President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive AbdullahAbdullah and others.
During the meeting, Ghani had invited Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasito visit Kabul for a ‘comprehensive bilateral dialogue’ to open a newchapter in the relationship between the two neighbours.
The NSA had welcomed the Afghan leadership’s resolve for improving tieswith Pakistan as he made it clear that ‘coerced, blamed and isolated’Pakistan would be of lesser use to Afghan peace efforts.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained tense for manymonths primarily because of the growing mistrust and differences on theAfghan endgame. Both sides have long accused each other for turning a blindeye to certain militant groups.
The two have also had serious differences on the roadmap to Afghan peace.While Afghanistan wants a military solution, Pakistan is adamant thatsolution to the conflict can only be achieved through sustained andall-inclusive dialogue.