ISLAMABAD: The second meeting of Pakistan and Afghanistan joint working group will take place in Islamabad today.
A high-level delegation comprising Afghan civilian and military officials, including Director General Military Operations, deputy foreign minister and deputy chief of National Directorate of Security (NDS), will reach Islamabad today.
Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua will lead the Pakistan’s delegation.
At the previous meeting in Kabul on February 03, Pakistan proposed five joint working groups, which will focus on ensuring comprehensive engagement for countering terrorism, intelligence sharing, military, economy, trade and transit interaction, refugee repatriation and connectivity.
According to Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal, Islamabad had always maintained that only military path couldn’t bring peace and stability in Afghanistan, emphasizing that Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process alone will ensure peace.
It was time for international community to remember the plight of millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, who have been displaced due to decades of violence.
They must return to their homes honorably. More violence in Afghanistan will only delay their dream of uniting with their loved ones, Dr Faisal said.
To a question about the Pak-US relations, the spokesperson said Pakistan wished for strong relations with the US based on mutual respect and friendship.
He said Pakistan looked forward to mutually beneficial partnership with all countries and its foreign policy reflected the aspirations of its people and served its national interests.
The spokesman said Pakistan had taken indiscriminate action against all terrorist groups with the commitment to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
“It is unfair to blame Pakistan for security lapses in Afghanistan as the vast swathes of ungoverned territories in Afghanistan are being used by terror groups as sanctuaries,” he said.
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