TEHRAN, March 20 - Pakistan is still mulling Afghanistan's recent overtures, including an invitation that Pakistani prime minister visit Kabul — an offer that analysts see as a good sign, underscoring that dialogue between the two often uneasy neighbors is key to defeating militants on both sides of the border.
TEHRAN,Young Journalists Club (YJC) - Islamabad says it wants to consult the country's political and military leadership before accepting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's invitation, which followed a visit last weekend to Kabul by Pakistan's National Security Adviser Nasser Janjua and also last month's offer by Ghani of unconditional talks with the Taliban.
The Taliban have not responded yet but Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesman Moahmmad Faisal told The Associated Press on Tuesday the country's political and military leaders are carefully considering the invitation before drafting a proposal for Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
"All stake-holders will consider the invitation in order to prepare a brief for the prime minister, who will decide about his possible visit to Kabul," Faisal said.
Ghani delivered the invitation for Abbasi during his meeting with Janjua, who also held talks with his Afghan counterpart, National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar.
The meetings were a bright spot in an otherwise acrimonious relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which routinely trade accusations that each country harbors militants who attack the other.
The last time a Pakistani prime minister was in Kabul was in 2015 and a visit by Abbasi now would be hugely significant.
Source: AP
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