Pakistan, Afghanistan end talks on counter-terrorism

Islamabad Feb 11 (IANS) Pakistan and Afghanistan had "good discussions" after they concluded two-day talks on important issues on Saturday an official said.

The talks in Islamabad took place under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) - a joint action plan for cooperation in the key areas of counter-terrorism and reduction of violence peace and reconciliation refugees repatriation and joint economic development Pakistan Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

This was the second round of APAPPS in a week that reflects determination of both sides to pursue policy of engagement despite differences over certain issues.

The first round was held in Kabul on February 3 following the deadliest Taliban-claimed attacks in Kabul on January 20 and January 27 which had killed nearly 125 people and injured over 250. Pakistan had offered joint investigation into the Kabul s attacks that Kabul had blamed on the Haqqani Network.

Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal seemed upbeat at the discussions. "Pakistan-Afghanistan talks. Two days of good discussions. Some agreements. Further work required " he wrote on his Twitter.

However the Afghan Foreign Ministry said no progress was made on counter-terrorism issues.

"While some progress was made on the mechanism of cooperation no progress was achieved on specific results-oriented time-bound measures in the APAPPS particularly in the areas of counter-terrorism reduction of violence peace and reconciliation to meet the priorities of Afghanistan " an Afghan Foreign Ministry statement said.

Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai led a high-level delegation to Islamabad comprising of senior civilian and military officials.

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua headed the Pakistani delegation of senior civilian and military officials at the talks.

--IANS
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