Mashal Afghan

KABUL(TSAT) - Pakistan National Security Advisor Dr Moeed Yusuf, who arrived in Afghanistan along with a high level delegation on Saturday, met with top Taliban leaders in capital Kabul.

On arrival at Hamid Karzai International Airport, he was warmly welcomed by the acting Minister for Commerce and Industry Nooruddin Azizi along with other officials from the foreign ministry.

Later Yusuf meet with Afghan acting Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi. acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and discussed the current situation in the region after Taliban took over the country in August last year.

“During the meeting with acting Foreign Minister along with his delegation, Pakistan's National Security Adviser Moeed Yousuf expressed his government's commitment to continue cooperation with Afghanistan and expressed his government desires to enhance economic ties with new government,” Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesman of Afghan Foreign Ministry tweeted.

The two side agreed to work together and more strengthen bilateral ties, especially in economic sector, he added.

Pakistani National Security Advisor reiterated his government commitment to enhance economic ties with its neighbour and said Pakistan will facilitate trade and people traveling at Torkham and Chaman border crossing.

“The Foreign Minister thanked them for their cooperation and requested to facilitate the Afghan traders and people who are going for medical treatment to Pakistan,” Balkhi said.

Muttaqi said that the new government in Kabul has also opened trade routes with Uzbekistan-Tajikistan and Turkmenistan and want Pakistan facilitate their traders.

The two side agreed to set up a joint committee to resolve all issues and work for enhancement of trade between the two countries.

“NSA Moeed Yusuf called on Afghan Acting Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdus Salam Hanafi and discussed strengthening of Pakistan- Afghanistan brotherly relations to promote trade, transit, connectivity. Afghan Deputy PM hosted lunch for Pak delegation at Arg,” Mansoor Ahmad Khan

Pakistan ambassador to Kabul tweeted.

According to sources, during the meeting Pakistani top security officials also raised the issue of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a terrorist organisation having hideouts in Afghanistan and said his government expect from Taliban will not allow them to use Afghan soil against Pakistan.

“Taliban leadership assured Pakistani official that they will not allow any terrorist organisation to use Afghan soil against any neighbour country,” a senior Taliban official told The South Asia Times on condition of anonymity.

During the meeting the recent ceasefire between Pakistani security forces and TTP also discussed and Yusuf informed them about the unconstitutional demands of the terrorist group.

Earlier this month, the Pakistan military spokesman also said that TTP some demand were not negotiable.

Last month TTP announced that the group has ended its one month ceasefire with Pakistan as there is no progress made during their negotiation.

However, Afghan Taliban official said that the new government in Kabul has conveyed its message to the TTP to sit and resolve their issues with Pakistani government as they will not allow them to use Afghan soil against Pakistan.

The official said, other Baloch terrorists who earlier living in Afghanistan, already left the country after Taliban formed their government.

In October last year, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also visited Kabul after Taliban took over the country.