KABUL (Pajhwok): Kabul and Islamabad have agreed to bridge the trust deficit, avoid the blame game and focus on constructive engagement and economic cooperation, a top Pakistani diplomat said on Monday.
A day after his visit to Kabul, National Security and Foreign Policy Advisor Sartaj Aziz told reporters in Islamabad the two sides had agreed not to allow the use of their territories against each other.
Pakistani media quoted Aziz, who met President Ashraf Ghani and his Afghan counterpart Hanif Atmar in Kabul on Sunday, as saying they had also agreed on the need for better border management.
Discussions on an effective border control mechanism, installation of biometric systems, opening of new routes and documentation would be held soon, the prime ministerial advisor said.
The neighbours have a nearly 2,200 kilometer border, which is mostly porous and haunted by insurgents. Loose controls that allow militant infiltration have been a key problem for the two countries.
He added: “This mechanism is being evolved. A draft standard operating procedure for border management has been prepared. The measures will address mistrust and help boost cooperation.”
The issues are expected to get final touches during President Ahmadzai’s visit to Pakistan. Aziz said the Afghan leader had accepted his invitation dates for his trip were being firmed up.
PAN Monitor/mud
