ISLAMABAD: A top Afghan envoy is said to have assured Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif "full cooperation" from the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in ensuring effective border surveillance in the backdrop of the Pakistan Army's ongoing military operation against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in North Waziristan Agency.In a rare visit to the General Headquarters (GHQ), Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Janan Mosazai met COAS General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday to discuss the relevant Pak-Afghan border issues involving Zarb-e-Azb operation. "The ongoing operation in North Waziristan Agency and matters of mutual interest, including measures to improve security along Pakistan - Afghanistan border, were discussed," a brief statement from Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
Is ISPR a wholly owned subsidiary of the ISI?
Reportedly, the Afghan diplomat was informed that while there were adequate assurances from the NATO-led ISAF to assist Pakistan Army by means of taking on the TTP sanctuaries on the other side of the border, such kind of support and cooperation on part of the Afghan authorities, the officials believed, was lacking. Mosazai, the sources claimed, was also told that Pakistan Army had formally requested the Afghan authorities to cooperate for foolproof surveillance at Pak-Afghan border to block the way of runaway militants and to take on TTP sanctuaries in Khost, Nuristan and Kunar provinces.
In response, the Afghan envoy is said to have assured on part of the Afghan government that Kabul would extend "every possible assistance" to Pakistan to defeat the TTP militants in the ongoing offensive. Afghan Embassy spokesman Shams Zardasht, when called, was not available to comment on the issue.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Afghan President Hamid "maybe I am the Taliban" Karzai in an interview with the BBC said that the Al Qaeda had no presence in Afghanistan. He said that he was in regular dialogue with the Taliban. "They are in contact with me every day," he said. "There is even an exchange of letters, meetings, and desire for peace," he said.
Your neighbors might disagree.