Members of Afghanistan’s Meshrano Jirga (Upper House of Parliament) were on Sunday skeptical about the results of Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s visit to Afghanistan, saying Pakistan’s military and civilian government have a different view of Pakistan’s policy on Afghanistan.
Senators urged the Afghan government to be cautious with regards to talks with Pakistan.
But some senators argued that the trip was part of Pakistan’s continued efforts to decrease the mounting pressure on Islamabad by the international community.
“Afghanistan in a way recognizes Durand Line while the official policy of the Afghan government is that this border is not the formal border,” said first deputy speaker of the senate Mohammad Alam Ezedyar.
“We hope that our national interests are not violated in these talks,” senator Anarkali Honaryar said.
Another senator Afzal Shamil said: “There is no doubt about it that Pakistan wants to play another game, whenever it comes under pressure, Pakistan shows flexibility.”
“Holding talks with the Pakistani officials especially with their civilian officials look like a drama (production),” said senator Lotfullah Baba.
“I don’t understand why the countries which are present in Afghanistan as friends keep silent,” said senator Najiba Hussain.
This comes two days after President Ashraf Ghani and Abbasi held talks in Kabul where they agreed to seven key principles to finalize Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).
The two leaders agreed to the following:
* Pakistan to support the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation,
* The two countries to undertake effective action against fugitives and irreconcilable elements posing security threats to either of the two countries,
* Both countries commit to deny use of their respective territories by any country, network, group or individuals for anti-state activities against either country,
* To put in place a joint supervision, coordination and confirmation mechanism through Liaison Officers (LOs) for the realization of the agreed actions.
* The two countries commit to avoid territorial and aerial violations of each other’s territory,
* The two countries to avoid public blame games and instead use APAPPS cooperation mechanisms to respond to mutual issues of contention and concerns, and
* Establish Working Groups and necessary cooperation mechanisms as per APAPPS for full implementation of the APAPPS and the above, mutually reinforcing principles.
Ghani and Abbasi reaffirmed their resolve to build trust and confidence between the two countries by working closely for peace, prosperity and stability in their countries. The two leaders agreed to continue the exchange of high level visits.
Abbasi also extended invitations to Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah to visit Islamabad at their earliest convenience.
Abbasi also met with other senior Afghan political leaders including Gulbadin Hekmatyar, Mohammad Mohaqiq, Mohammad Karim Khalili, and Sayed Hamed Gailani, to convey the support of the government and people of Pakistan to all ethnic groups in Afghanistan and to underscore Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in Afghanistan, Pakistan's statement read.