Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Muscat Meeting to Discuss Afghan-Pak Relations: CEO

Muscat Meeting to Discuss Afghan-Pak Relations: CEO

MEHTERLAM – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah on Sunday said relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan would be discussed in upcoming Quadrilateral Cooperation Group (QCG) meeting in Muscat, the capital of Oman.
Talking to reporters in Mehtarlam, the capital of eastern Laghman province, Abdullah said good relations with neighbours was Afghanistan’s need and said the recent visit of the Pakistan Army Chief was aimed at decreasing tensions and improving relations between the neighbors.
The QCG comprised of officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the US would meet in Muscat tomorrow (Monday) to help revive the Afghan peace process. The Taliban have denied participation in the huddle.
Speaking in Mehtarlam, Abdullah termed peace and stability in Afghanistan as equally important for neighboring countries and the region. He said for the sake of regional stability, more focus should be on stability in Afghanistan at the QCG meeting.
The CEO, without naming any country, said support to militant groups in Afghanistan by the neighboring countries could backfire and threaten the neighboring countries too.
“We don’t have other option but to maintain good relations with our neighbors,” the CEO believed. He termed Pakistan Army chief visit to Kabul a step forward to improve relations between the two countries and said Afghanistan welcomed it.
Referring to ongoing operations against Daesh in eastern provinces, the CEO said Afghan security forces with the help of people would eliminate Daesh militants.
He said more attention would be paid to logistics and equipment of Afghan forces.
A few days back, Taliban militants killed five security personnel who had traveled away from their post to fetch drinking water.
Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan strained after Islamabad failed to implement its pledges made at QCG meetings in 2015. (Pajhwok)