Pak, Afghan issue joint statement on terrorism and Taliban

Kabul, Sep 7 (UNI) Pakistan and Afghanistan today issued a joint statement identifying extremism, terrorism and the Taliban as common threat to both countries and a danger to the region.

The statement, issued at the conclusion of President Pervez Musharraf's visit to Kabul, reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to further intensify their cooperation and coordination in jointly fighting these threats.

The statement said President Karzai had welcomed President Musharraf's strong commitment to help Afghanistan fight terrorism and appreciated the recent agreement signed between the Pakistan government and the Pakistani Taliban in north Waziristan which forbids cross-border infiltration of Taliban into Afghanistan.

Senior Afghan officials said the statement reflected changes in the Pakistani position as it has accepted the presence of cross-border terrorism for the first time and also identified Taliban as a common threat.

The statement also said the two leaders agreed to continue their cooperation within the framework of the international coalition against terrorism. Talks were held ''in a cordial atmosphere and were characterised by frankness, in the spirit of the brotherly relations between the two countries. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further consolidate, expand and deepen the friendship and co-operation in all dimensions between the two countries,'' it was stated.

Both the leaders recognised that great opportunities existed for the progress and economic development in the region for which it was essential that there is peace and stability. Both countries expressed their resolve to play their part to seize and promote these opportunities.

President Karzai expressed gratitude to Pakistan on behalf of the Afghan people for hosting millions of Afghan refugees during the Jihad and for continuing to host large number of refugees until now.

UNI XC PR MIR HT2030