ISLAMABAD: National Security Adviser retired Lt Gen Nasser Janjua will arrive in Kabul on Saturday on a daylong visit.

During his visit, the adviser would hold meetings with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, his counterpart Haneef Atmar and chief of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) Masoom Stanekzai.

Gen Janjua has been invited by Mr Atmar.

A top security source had recently said that major developments in relations between the two countries were taking place.

The ties have remained strained for long because of differences over terrorism and border disputes. However, President Ghani’s latest offer of dialogue to Taliban was welcomed by Pakistan.

“Both sides will work together and chalk out a way forward to improve bilateral relations and enhance cooperation particularly with reference to the peace initiative undertaken by the president of Afghanistan,” the NSA’s office said.

“Pakistan fully acknowledges that peaceful Afghanistan means peaceful Pakistan. Both countries have a common future and common destiny. Pakistan is always prepared to work in a cooperative framework and provide every help to win peace in Afghanistan,” the statement further said.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2018