Afghan military chief: Kabul, Islamabad face greatest threats
Afghanistan’s military chief has called for “sincere” counter-terrorism cooperation between his country and neighboring Pakistan, as both countries face a grave threat from non-state actors.
The Afghan Army Chief of Staff Sher Mohammad Karimi made the remarks on Saturday during a passing out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy at Kukul, located near Pakistan’s northern city of Abbotabad.
Karimi stressed the need for close cooperation between the two countries to tackle terrorism by non-state actors in the region.
“We see around us almost every day the world and our region especially Afghanistan and Pakistan today face the greatest threats and dangers from individuals and groups that are not affiliated directly with any state. That is precisely why these are called non-state actors,” said Karimi.
The Afghan general continued by saying this “new enemy” does not recognize countries’ boundaries and “is not bound by any religious and moral principles.”
“Their naked nefarious designs undermine states and grab power through terror and fear. Countering and ultimately defeating this menace and threats therefore require sincere close result-oriented cooperation and coordination between states especially between next door neighbors,” Karimi added.
He also called for non-interference in the internal affairs of the two countries.
The Afghan military chief arrived in Pakistan on April 17 for a two-day visit for talks on bilateral security issues.
Karimi met his Pakistani counterpart General Raheel Sharif on the first day of the trip. According to the military, the two officials discussed border management and defense cooperation.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have seen an improvement in bilateral relations. In February, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Chaudry Nisar Ali Khan hailed the improved level of bilateral ties with Afghanistan, saying Islamabad and Kabul are in “close cooperation” in counter-terror efforts.
Taliban militancy
The improved relations come as Pakistan and Afghanistan had witnessed soured ties in recent years, with both sides accusing the other of failing to cooperate on the threat posed by Taliban and pro-Taliban militants in the region.
Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai often accused Pakistan of sheltering the Taliban militants in its border region, and contributing to the war-torn country’s security problems.
CAH/HSN/HMV
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