Pakistanis stand by Afghan govt, nation: Nawaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif made a phone call to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday to convey his heartfelt condolences on behalf of the people and the government of Pakistan over the terrorist attacks in Kabul of Saturday last.

Condemning this brutal act of terrorism, the prime minister extended deepest sympathies and prayers to all the families who lost their loved ones in this heinous act, and wished an early recovery of the injured. 

The two leaders conversed with each other in the days when ties between the two counties are getting sour.  Nawaz reminded the Afghan President that the government and people of Pakistan stood shoulder to shoulder with the government of Afghanistan and their Afghan brethren in this hour of need. 

“Pakistan remains strongly committed to deepen cooperation with Afghanistan in fighting the scourge of terrorism, which is a common enemy,” the prime minister reiterated. The Foreign Office had earlier condemned the attack in stern words but prime minister decided to offer condolences personally.

Ashraf Ghani thanked the prime minister for expressing solidarity with the government and people of Afghanistan at this critical moment.  He said both the countries had been facing repeated attacks of terrorists which were harming our people. 

“We appreciate your condolences, compassion and concern for the people of Afghanistan as brotherly country. We are together in fighting the war on terror,” assured the president. Meanwhile, Pakistan is waiting for follow-up action by Kabul for establishment of a mechanism for two way talks between Islamabad and Kabul.

The Afghan government had already consented to set up the mechanism and for the purpose a working group would be constituted at the echelon of the ministers.

The mechanism in question would be different to what had is in place under quadrilateral talks between Pakistan, China, the United States and Afghanistan for finding solution to the imbroglio.

Diplomatic observers are of view that the telephonic conversation between the two leaders would help lower temperatures and make atmosphere conducive for the formation of such mechanism.

Interestingly, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Ashraf Ghani spoke to each other on phone second time in less than a month and incidentally on both the occasions they talked about the deceased who became victim of terrorism. Such contacts are always helpful in improving the ambiance, the sources added.