ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry on Tuesday stressed the need of a "well-coordinated" security operation in Afghanistan to achieve shared goals of peace and prosperity in the two countries.

Leading Pakistan's delegation during foreign secretary level talks with Afghanistan in Islamabad, Chaudhry emphasised the need for greater political engagement, stronger focus on economic development and a well-coordinated security cooperation for stability in the wider region.

Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai led his country's delegation during the talks.

The two sides reviewed all facets of Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations and exchanged views on a broad range of issues of mutual interest, including peace and stability, counter-terrorism, border-security, trade and economic cooperation, Afghan refugees and regional cooperation.

Chaudhry said "the recent visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Kabul had been vital to further cement the inextricable bonds between Pakistan and Afghanistan".

Both sides discussed Pakistan’s contribution towards the development of Afghanistan through Pakistani funded projects aimed at the reconstruction and rehabilitation in Afghanistan, and how this has helped in promoting an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.

It was agreed that mutual trust and confidence between the two countries was leading towards better coordinated measures to root out the menace of terrorism.