ISLAMABAD: In an unannounced visit to Afghanistan’s capital city, Kabul, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa held one-on-one meetings with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chairman High Council for National Reconciliation Dr. Abdullah Abdullah on Tuesday.
According to an official handout circulated by the military’s media wing, ISPR, the army chief was accompanied by Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq.
Pakistan's Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa can be seen with Chairman High Council for National Reconciliation in Afghanistan Dr. Abdullah Abdullah in Kabul on June 9, 2020. (Picture courtesy: ISPR)
Both sides discussed developments in the Afghan peace process and necessary steps required to facilitate an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
“Issues related to facilitation of trade and connectivity also came under discussion,” said the official statement. “Both sides agreed that a dignified and time-bound return of Afghan Refugees from Pakistan is key towards normalcy.”
“President Ashraf Ghani expressed his appreciation for the Prime Minister of Pakistan for opening of Torkham and Chaman border for allowing Afghan transit goods and facilitating stranded Afghans to return to Afghanistan by land and air routes,” it continued. “The President was also appreciative of the role being played by Pakistan for Afghan Peace Process.”
Sharing the pictures of the visit, Abdullah Abdullah announced in a Twitter post that the two sides “held productive talks” and “stressed on the unique opportunity to further the cause of peace” in Afghanistan and the rest of the region.
He added that General Bajwa “expressed Pakistan’s support for our efforts” and “earliest possible start” of intra-Afghan talks between the Taliban and the administration in Kabul.
Officials of the United States have already acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts in working toward a peaceful settlement of the protracted conflict in Afghanistan.
Islamabad is also striving for greater regional connectivity by building the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Recently, it also announced the arrival of a bulk cargo ship for its landlocked northwestern neighbor on Gwadar deep-sea port under the Afghan Transit Trade Agreement.
