Ghani warns Pakistan
Not too late for Pakistan to emerge as a partner and stakeholder in an orderly peace process says Afghan president
The writer served as Executive Editor of The Express Tribune from 2009 to 2014
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has written an article, “Afghanistan’s Movement of Risk and Opportunity”, in which he devotes almost one-fourth of the little over 2,000-word piece to Pakistan, most of which betrays the Afghan leader’s suspicions about Islamabad’s intentions.
In Ghani’s opinion, the US decision (to withdraw) has surprised “the Taliban and their patrons in Pakistan, and has forced them to make a choice. Will they become credible stakeholders, or will they foster more chaos and violence? If the Taliban choose the latter path, the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) will fight them. And if the Taliban still refuse to negotiate, they will be choosing the peace of the grave.”
Saudi Arabia and longstanding ally Pakistan signed several agreements on Saturday and vowed to revive ties strained by months of disagreement over policy on the Kashmir dispute.
On his seventh visit to the wealthy kingdom since his 2018 election, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was given a warm welcome by Saudi officials in the western coastal city of Jeddah.
He was greeted by Saudi Arabia’s de-facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the airport before holding talks with Saudi officials at Jeddah’s Al-Salam Palace.
“They affirmed the depth of relations between the two brotherly countries and underscored the importance of expanding and intensifying aspects of bilateral cooperation and coordination,” a Saudi statement said.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia Take Steps To Improve Strained Ties
May 08, 2021
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Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed agreements to improve ties after months of strained relations over the disputed region of Kashmir.
The two traditional allies took the steps on May 8 as part of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan s two-day trip to Saudi Arabia.
The agreements addressed the treatment of criminals, joint efforts to combat drug trafficking, and infrastructure and other projects. The two countries also agreed to establish a higher coordination council.
Relations soured after Islamabad sought Saudi Arabia s support over alleged human rights violations by India in the disputed territory of Kashmir. Saudi Arabia has been careful not to upset India, a key business partner and importer of Saudi oil.
Cairo: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan held talks on boosting ties between the two countries and efforts against terrorism.
The talks were held following the arrival of the Pakistani premier for an official visit to the kingdom.
During the talks held in the Saudi city of Jeddah, emphasis was laid on the depth of relations between the kingdom and Pakistan and the importance of expanding their cooperation and coordination in all fields, the Saudi news agency SPA reported.
Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Khan signed an agreement establishing a Saudi-Pakistani higher coordination council.