Pakistan-Afghanistan to convene "jirga" to strengthen bilateral relations for ensuring regional peace

Islamabad, Jan.31 (ANI): In a bid to strengthen mutual co-operation and bilateral relations between both the countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to convene a 'jirga'.

According to The Daily Times, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari met Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Spanta here, and both the leaders agreed to deepen relations and work cohesively to improve regional security.

The Afghan Foreign Minister also met his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi, as both the leaders agreed to further strengthen the co-ordination, both at the strategic and tactical levels.

Qureshi, while talking to reporters after the meeting, expressed hope that the change in the US administration will also see a change in the policies of the United States regarding Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Qureshi said he hoped that the Obama administration would adopt a comprehensive and holistic approach in addressing the challenge of terrorism in the region.

Commenting on the US's decision of sending in more troops in Afghanistan to diversify and re-inforce the 'war on terror' in Afghanistan, Qureshi said: "The surge in US troops' number in Afghanistan should be coupled with a political and development surge as well."

"Dialogue with moderate forces and engagement with reconcilable elements was important to control the spread of extremism and militancy," he added. (ANI)