Atmar-Aziz meeting in London hailed as productive

KABUL took place at the trilateral London meeting held, an official said on Thursday.

Tawab Ghurzang, spokesman for the National Security Council (NSC), told Pajhwok Afghan News the meeting on Wednesday night was attended by National Security Advisor (NSA) and Ambassador Omar Zakhelwal.

Adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and National Security Adviser of UK Mark Lyall Grant also participated in the meeting, he said.

He said the meeting held productive discussions on improving the current political situation between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The process would continue to overcome differences, Ghurzang added.

Pakistan shut border crossing points with Afghanistan on February 17, halting commercial activities between the neighbours and inflicting losses on traders.

Thousands of Afghans, who had traveled to that country on visas, were also stranded in Pakistan. But around 50,000 Afghans were allowed to return during a two-day reopening of the border last week.

Pakistan took the step after a series of terror incidents last month claimed more than 100 lives and injured many others. Pakistan claimed the attackers had sneaked from Afghanistan.

After the incidents, Pakistan started shelling into border areas of Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, leaving some people dead and injured and forcing hundreds to flee their homes.

mds/mud