National Security Adviser Nasser Janjua offers the cooperation during a meeting with Afghan officials in Kabul. PHOTO: IRNA/FILE
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday said ‘coercive’ approach will not be of any use to bring the desired results in Afghanistan in a veiled reference to the Trump administration’s hardline strategy against Islamabad.
“Isolated, blamed and coerced Pakistan is of lesser use to Afghanistan,” National Security Adviser Lt-Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua told the Afghan leadership during his day-long visit to Kabul on Saturday.
His statement coincided with the renewed demand by the US, urging Pakistan to do more in the fight against terrorism.
The latest demand was made by US vice President Mike Pence during his unscheduled meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in Washington on Friday.
Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah met Nasser Janjua National Security Advisor of #Pakistan. They discussed inter-state dialogues for improvement of relations between the 2 countries, support for the Afghan Peace Process and the timely & new peace offer that Taliban should utilize. pic.twitter.com/HYwLScQkan
— Dr. Abdullah Abdullah (@DrabdullahCE) March 18, 2018
NSA Janjua in Kabul to discuss security issues with Afghan leadership
The NSA remarks he made during meeting with Afghan leadership appear to be aimed at conveying a message that such hard line approach would not work.
Although Afghan President Ashraf Ghani tweeted about his meeting with Gen Janjua the other day inviting Prime Minister Abbasi for a visit, the government of Pakistan issued a detailed statement on Sunday.
According to the statement, on a special invitation from National Security Adviser Afghanistan Haneef Atmar, Gen Janjua visited Afghanistan on Saturday. His visit was acknowledged by Afghanistan as a great gesture of Pakistan, particularly after the peace offer made by President Ashraf Ghani.
During his stay, the NSA had “elaborate and successful meetings” with President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, his counterpart Haneef Atmar, Minister of Defense and NDS Chief. “Meetings were held in a very congenial, warm and cordial environment,” the NSA office said.
Today, I received Pakistani NSA at Dilkusha palace. As a follow up to #Kabul process, I have extended an official invitation to Pakistani Prime Minister to visit #Afghanistan. This is to initiate state to state comprehensive dialogue. pic.twitter.com/3LuN3tJFq3
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) March 17, 2018
Both sides reiterated their commitment to peace and stability of each other and agreed to work in a cooperative framework for a brighter future. By addressing each other’s concerns, both sides expressed their resolve to work together and enhance cooperation to improve bilateral relations.
Atmar said “It’s time to build bridges. We have a shared history and shared future. That is what our ancestors left for us and we have to leave for our children. We should work for our shared interests in all fields including political, economic and security. We must protect our relationship and advance it further.”
President Ashraf Ghani associated strong hopes with Pakistan and said “We have made a sincere and serious offer of peace and together we have to make the best of it by rising beyond past. Let’s not remain prisoners of past and lets secure our future with the aim not to win the war but to end it for which Pakistan should help".
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He also expressed strong support for regional connectivity with Central Asian Republics (CARS) to reap the benefits of ideal geo-strategic locations of Afghanistan and Pakistan.” Without each other we are not complete” he added.
He desired for a roadmap to be prepared for a comprehensive engagement with Pakistan to carry the relationship further with a leap of faith. Availing the opportunity, he also handed over the letter of invitation to NSA for the Prime Minister of Pakistan and expected him to visit as soon as possible.
Janjua thanked the president for extending an invitation to prime minister of Pakistan and also acknowledged the warmth displayed for him and Pakistan and appreciated the peace offer made by the President.
He termed the peace offer the light at the end of the tunnel in a war which had become rather perpetual. Seeking the closure of conflict instead of winning it is a righteous approach, he added.
He expressed deep sympathies with the people of Afghanistan who have seen nothing but war since the last 40 years. He also expressed complete support for the peace offer which was long awaited.
“Use of force only injures people, wars are however virtually won politically,” he added. Assuring of Pakistan’s full support for the vision of peace, he, however, highlighted that isolated, blamed and coerced Pakistan is of lesser use to Afghanistan.
The world has started to look at and undermine Pakistan through the prism of Afghanistan which is not correct. We need to commit to each other and invest in bilateral relationship and Afghanistan needs to stand with Pakistan and both need to win peace together. “Our peace is mutual, lets seek it together” he said.
The same sentiments were acknowledged and reciprocated by the Afghan Government. They also agreed to seize this moment collectively and to improve bilateral relations in pursuit of the common objectives.
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