Pak, Afghan officials pledge cooperation on terrorism

Rezaul H Laskar

Islamabad, Oct 27 (PTI) Pakistan and Afghanistan Monday
pledged to step up cooperation to counter terrorism and
extremism as leaders from both countries gathered here to
discuss modalities for engaging the Taliban and other militant
groups in a dialogue.

Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day
Pakistan-Afghanistan jirga gai or mini-jirga here, Foreign
Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi emphasised the need for close
cooperation between the two countries to effectively counter
and completely eliminate terrorism.

Both countries have "suffered immensely and continue to
suffer" due to extremism, militancy and terrorism and the
situation demanded a joint and comprehensive strategy to bring
peace and stability to the whole region, he said.

Both Qureshi and former Afghan foreign minister Abdullah
Abdullah, who is leading the country's side in the talks,
highlighted the need to increase cooperation especially in the
restive region bordering the two countries.

The two countries have "no choice" but to work together
to combat terrorism, Abdullah said.

Qureshi, on the other hand said Pakistan will continue
its drive against militant groups resorting to violence.

"Pakistan's territory shall not be used for any kind of
attacks on other countries and foreign fighters, if found,
will be expelled from our soil," he said.

In an apparent reference to a series of missile strikes
on the Pakistani side by U.S. drones operating from
Afghanistan, Qureshi said the country's sovereignty and
territorial integrity would "be safeguarded at all
costs".

"Dialogue will be given high priority with all those
willing to abide by the constitution of Pakistan and rule of
law," he added.

Abdullah said he hoped the governments of Afghanistan and
Pakistan would "be able to utilise the great potentials which
are here in order to solidify the bonds of friendship between
both countries and peoples as well as enabling both sides to
deal with a global challenge".

The 25-member mini-jirga will discuss ways to enhance
cooperation among tribal elders for peace on both sides of the
border as well as steps to engage the Afghan and Pakistani
Taliban in talks to restore peace in the tribal belt, which
has been described by the U.S. as a safe haven for Al Qaida.

The jirga is being held almost four months after ties
between Pakistan and Afghanistan were severely strained by a
suicide car bomb attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul that
killed close to 60 people, including two senior Indian
diplomats.

Both India and Afghanistan had then blamed Pakistan's
Inter-Services Intelligence Agency of being involved in the
attack -– a charge that was denied by Islamabad.

Qureshi said the new government in Pakistan has made a
new beginning in relations with Afghanistan and in restoring a
climate of trust and confidence.

Both countries are constructively engaged with each other
in all spheres and were developing a forward-looking vision of
peace, prosperity and development, he said.

Referring to the Afghan war following the Soviet
occupation of that country, Qureshi said it had altered the
course of history and resulted in the ending of the Cold
War.

The free flow of weapons and drugs in wake of the war,
besides illiteracy and lack of employment provided fertile
ground for the rapid growth of extremism and terrorism,
Qureshi added.

He called on the jirga members to work together, monitor
and oversee the implementation of decisions made by the
Pak-Afghan grand peace jirga last year. The members should
also forge a plan to facilitate the convening of the next
grand peace jirga.

The mini-jirga is meeting at a time when there is an
increasing realisation within the Afghan government and among
countries contributing troops to Afghanistan that the Taliban
cannot be defeated by military means alone.

The meeting also follows peace talks between the Taliban
and the Afghan government that were sponsored by Saudi Arabia
at the request of President Hamid Karzai. PTI R.H.L.
RKM
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