Premier Sharif vows joint Pakistan-Afghanistan action against Taliban

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has vowed to reinforce cooperation between his country and Afghanistan in the battle against the Taliban militants.

The Pakistani premier made the remarks at a joint press briefing with Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Tuesday.

“In case of terrorist activity, both Pakistan and Afghanistan retain the right of counter actions in conjunction... We agreed that peace and stability in the region will remain elusive until the menace of terrorism afflicting the region is comprehensively addressed,” Sharif said.

The Pakistani prime minister also said cooperation would dismantle the militant hideouts and sanctuaries on both sides of the porous border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“All sanctuaries, when found, will be eliminated by direct action, and will be monitored by the existing mechanism,” Sharif stated, adding that efforts by any militant group to “destabilize Afghanistan will be dealt with severely and such elements will be outlawed and hunted down.”

Sharif has traveled to Kabul on Tuesday to hold talks on ways to boost coordination on a range of issues between the two countries. The visit came upon the invitation of Ghani, whose third foreign trip after taking office was to the Pakistani capital city of Islamabad last November.

The Taliban militants have stepped up attacks in both countries in recent months. They have also started their so-called annual spring offensive against Afghan security forces and the foreign embassies across the country.

The semi-autonomous tribal regions on Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan have been a hideout for militant groups, including al-Qaeda and the pro-Taliban militants, during the past years. The militants use the mountainous border area to launch attacks in both countries.

JR/HSN/HJL

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk