ISLAMABAD: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani arrived in Islamabad on Friday for a two-day visit to the country. He arrived at the Nur Khan airbase where he was received by Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz. Ghani was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior leaders, cabinet ministers, high-ranking officials and business representatives. Ghani is scheduled to hold a meeting with President Mamnoon Hussain today and another meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tomorrow. Also read: US-Pak relations are of great importance for regional stability, says US envoy Pakistan is one of the first countries President Ghani, who was sworn in in September, has chosen to visit. He earlier toured Saudi Arabia and China. Ghani’s visit is being regarded as a two-day fence-mending mission. Its outcome would indicate how the relationship has transformed with the change in government in Kabul from one marred with deep distrust to a cautious desire for cooperation. Islamabad’s relations with Kabul, which have historically been tense and complicated, plummeted to new lows over the past couple of years due to reignited border disputes, counter-terrorism differences and exchange of allegations. At the root of the tensions between the two countries are unfulfilled expectations on both sides. More on this: Operation Zarb-i-Azb disrupted Haqqani network, says US general The peaceful transition to the unity government in Afghanistan after the elections this year has provided the two countries a unique opportunity to move forward leaving behind the legacy of mutual distrust. Pakistan took the first steps to rebuild the frayed ties by sending President Mamnoon Hussain to the oath-taking ceremony of President Ghani. This was followed by visits by Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz and Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif.Dawn News
Posted on: Fri, 14 Nov 2014 05:27:16 +0000
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