KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif hoped on Sunday that bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan would improve after implementation of certain decisions that had been reached when he met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
Speaking to reporters in London outside the Pakistan High Commission after offering Eid prayers, the PM referred to his recent meeting with President Ghani on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Astana and said that both sides had settled certain things.
“Now we and Afghanistan both have to implement those decisions...things are moving ahead and mutual agreements are getting decided. It would have a great impact [on relationship between the two neighbours] in case of implementation,” he said in response to a question regarding frequent allegations levelled by Afghanistan against Pakistan.
In the Astana meeting, President Ghani and PM Sharif had agreed to use the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) mechanism as well as bilateral channels to undertake specific actions against terrorist groups and to evolve, through mutual consultation, a mechanism to monitor and verify such actions.
However, the Pakistan Army recently linked the recent terrorists attacks in Parachinar and Quetta with terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan operating under the patronage of Afghan intelligence agency NDS and Indian intelligence agency RAW.
The army chief, Gen Qamar Bajwa, also made it clear that it was Afghanistan’s turn to “do more” in the fight against terrorism.
The PM evaded a direct reply when asked whether his government intensified the implementation of the National Action Plan in south Punjab.
He said the menace of terrorism was already being effectively countered with the implementation of operation Raddul Fasaad under the NAP. “Obviously, terrorists want to show their presence but I am sure things would be much better soon.”
He said law and order had improved a lot over the past four years with successful steps to eliminate terrorism.
Referring to recent attacks in the country, he said such incidents had been reduced to a great extent but isolated incidents did take place, which would end soon.
He also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Bahawalpur oil spill tragic incident.
When asked whether Pakistan could play a role for mediation between Saudi Arab and Qatar, he says something in response which is not fully audible.
Against the backdrop of Bahawalpur tragedy, the PM cut short his private visit to London and decided to immediately return home.
The prime minister will reach the country late on Sunday night.
According to an APP report, the prime minister noted that the terror incidents on Jummatul Wida and the Ahmedpur Sharqia tragedy had grieved the nation.
Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2017
Comments (8) Closed
Sorry Sir but I don't think that's going to happen in any near future. At least for another decade.
Unless Pakistan revisits its flawed Afghan policy, improvement of bilateral relationship between the two countries will remain elusive. The ball is in the former's court
Let the civilian Government decides policies for the regional peace..Only hope when there is Civilian government to government decisions..
Nawaz Sharif can not hope away the NDS-RAW nexus. Nawaz Sharif can not hope away Kulboshan Yadev. Nawaz Sharif can not hope away the fact the terrorists targeting Pakistan are most likely sent over by NDS-Raw.
I don't know but every time I read PM comments, it seems to me he is incompetent and clueless. His comments don't have life and look like it's just a routine matter for him.
Pakistan should give a clear message to Afghans that if you want to be cross, you will face the full heat of war. This spineless government can't give such a message, what a shame.
Taliban should be influenced by Pakistan to shun the violence and join the main stream of politics then only good relation between Pakistan and Afghanistan will be possible.
When in exile, nawaz sharif said he wants to celebrate eid in his country. Now that he is the PM, he never celebrates a single eid in pakistan.
Close the order with Afghanistan. Enough is Enough.